default apps

Microsoft has quietly begun serving a new, highly visual Bing ad that places a full “scoreboard” comparison between Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome above Chrome’s official download links on Windows 11 — a move that reframes a user’s intent at the precise moment they look to switch browsers and...

Google’s Chrome team is quietly testing a one-click option in Chrome’s Windows settings that not only sets Chrome as the default browser but will also pin it to the Windows 11 taskbar — a small UI change with outsized product and regulatory implications for how browsers compete on Windows. The...

Making Google Chrome the default browser across your devices is one of the simplest changes that delivers the biggest practical payoff: links open the way you expect, bookmarks and passwords follow you, and your browsing sessions stay consistent across platforms. This guide walks through how to...

Windows 11’s turbulent relationship with default apps and bloatware has long sparked frustration among everyday users and enterprise admins alike. With the incoming Windows 11 25H2 update, Microsoft appears poised to address one of the most persistent complaints—removing unwanted pre-installed...

Windows 11 has long been criticized for including numerous pre-installed applications—often referred to as "bloatware"—that many users find unnecessary. Traditionally, removing these apps required time-consuming methods such as using PowerShell commands or third-party tools. However, with the...

Windows 11’s pace of evolution continues to impress, and the rollout of KB5062552 for version 23H2 marks a pivotal moment—especially for users craving a more streamlined file migration experience and an efficient search interface. As Microsoft pushes this update globally, the spotlight lands on...

Microsoft’s willingness to listen to user feedback has been uneven in the past, but with the arrival of Windows 11 25H2, the company is taking a small yet significant step towards giving users more control over their operating system. For years, Windows users—especially those outside the “power...

Microsoft's upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update introduces a significant enhancement: a native option to uninstall default Microsoft Store apps via Group Policy. This development addresses longstanding user concerns about pre-installed applications often labeled as "bloatware." Historically...

The latest optional update for Windows 11, KB5060826, marks a pivotal moment in Microsoft’s steady campaign to modernize the operating system’s setup experience, improve cross-device migration, and respond directly to regional regulatory pressures. Rolling out as builds 22621.5549 and 22631.5549...

Windows 11 continues its relentless pace of refinement with the arrival of the June 2025 non-security preview update (KB5060829, OS Build 26100.4484) for version 24H2, now available across all editions. Coming just ahead of the summer’s full-scale security releases, this update underscores...

Microsoft’s commitment to iterative improvement is once again on display with the rollout of new Windows 11 and Windows 10 builds for Insiders on the Release Preview Channel. These updates, far from being mere incremental patches, signal meaningful shifts in how users—particularly those in the...

Here is a summary of the new features and improvements in Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.6029 (KB5061087), as released on June 12, 2025, to the Release Preview Channel: Key Changes Mobile Operator Profiles: Updated Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles for better mobile operator...

Windows 11 represents a significant evolution in Microsoft’s operating system vision—sleeker visuals, rounded corners everywhere, and under-the-hood improvements that polish the Windows experience for modern hardware. Yet, for all its strengths, many long-time users find certain aspects of...

Upgrading to a new operating system is both exciting and daunting, especially when the changes are as pronounced as those from Windows 10 to Windows 11. For users who have waited, perhaps out of comfort, personal taste, or a wariness of early adoption woes, the end of official support for...

Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) has continued to drive significant shifts in Microsoft’s business practices—especially regarding how the Windows platform interacts with competing web browsers. In a notable move, Microsoft has announced the end of persistent Edge browser prompts for users in...

For years, Microsoft Edge has been at the forefront of the Windows ecosystem—not just as a browser bundled with every Windows installation, but as the subject of persistent prompts urging users to make it their default. For many, especially those outside the United States, these constant nudges...

In a monumental shift poised to redefine user autonomy, Microsoft recently began rolling out sweeping changes for Windows users in the European Economic Area (EEA), directly addressing long-standing criticisms around default apps, forced browser choices, and the often frustrating persistence of...

The latest wave of changes to Windows 11 might be delighting users across Europe, but for many Americans, the improvements remain out of reach—reserved only for those living within the European Economic Area (EEA). While Microsoft frames these updates as milestones for openness and user choice...

In a strategic escalation of the ongoing browser wars, Google is now aggressively positioning Chrome as the default PDF viewer on Windows 11, seeking to challenge Microsoft Edge’s entrenched role. Observations from recent Chrome development builds confirm that Google has begun experimenting with...

Settling into a new Windows 11 PC is an experience many users know well. The first boot is wreathed in excitement—Microsoft’s polished setup wizards, vibrant taskbar, and a welcoming Start menu—but beneath the surface, the operating system carries a suite of default behaviors and bundled...