For many Windows enthusiasts across the European Economic Area (EEA), the experience of using Microsoft’s flagship operating system has often come with a persistent frustration: the unrelenting push to use Microsoft Edge or the Microsoft Store, even when users have clearly expressed a preference for alternatives. That’s about to change. In what represents a landmark shift in Microsoft’s approach to user choice and software freedom, the company has begun rolling out new features and options for Windows 10 and 11 users in the EEA. These changes—directly mandated by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA)—offer a glimpse of what a more user-centric Windows could look like for everyone, even as the company currently limits the enhancements to EEA countries.
Since the launch of Microsoft Edge in 2015, the browser has been at the center of Microsoft’s campaign to regain lost ground in the browser wars. For many, however, the campaign often crossed into annoyance, with Windows systems regularly prompting users to try—or worse, switch back to—Edge, even after setting another browser as default. These prompts could appear after system updates, when opening particular file types, or even through pop-ups triggered by unrelated actions within Windows.
Critics and users alike have criticized these persistent 'recommendations,' describing them as intrusive and manipulative. Technology forums are filled with threads and workarounds for disabling Edge-related popups, only for Microsoft to introduce new tactics with subsequent updates. The situation escalated to the point where even third-party tools like EdgeDeflector—which forced Windows to respect the user's chosen browser for certain types of web links—were rendered unusable by changes to the operating system itself.
Microsoft is classified as a gatekeeper under the DMA, particularly because of Windows' dominance in desktop computing throughout the EEA. The regulation’s intent is clear: restore genuine user control and promote competition by preventing anti-competitive bundling and forced defaults. In Microsoft's case, this means finally letting users remove Edge, the Microsoft Store, and other components that have historically resisted user tampering.
Yet, evidence supporting these claims as a critical obstacle to user control is scant. Other major operating systems (notably Android and iOS) have implemented similar levels of user-choice without an associated surge in security incidents. Furthermore, Microsoft’s new policy in the EEA retains the option to reinstall the Store app—a clear acknowledgment that uninstalling it is not a one-way door to increased risk.
There is no indication that Microsoft plans to extend these features to users outside the EEA, even as similar complaints and regulatory scrutiny grow in other markets. In the United States, for example, the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general have repeatedly called out the "dark patterns" used to promote Microsoft Edge and Bing, but no direct intervention or legislative equivalent to the DMA exists yet. Users in these non-EEA regions will need to wait and watch—or consider alternative workarounds that may compromise their system integrity or stability.
On technology forums, there’s a renewed sense of optimism that Microsoft may finally listen to user feedback—at least when compelled by regulation. Many hope that the success and simplicity of these EEA-exclusive features will pressure the company to unlock them globally, but there’s no sign of movement on that front yet.
Furthermore, granular regional enforcement of these rules (based on IP, system region, or licensing) could cause confusion for multi-regional companies or users who travel frequently. For instance, what happens if a user uninstalls the Store in Germany but then travels to the US for an extended period? Microsoft’s documentation suggests that the features persist, but the company could conceivably enforce future restrictions or reversals if system region or licensing changes.
For Microsoft, the EEA changes represent both a regulatory challenge and a brand opportunity. By embracing not just the letter but the spirit of the DMA, the company could win back goodwill from a skeptical user base, provided it ultimately extends these freedoms beyond the minimum required by law.
In the meantime, watchful regulators, especially in North America and Asia, are closely tracking how the EEA rules play out for Windows. If Microsoft’s changes are regarded as positive and without major negative impact, other authorities may feel emboldened to pursue similar regulations, or at least ratchet up pressure for voluntary compliance.
While these freedoms remain restricted to EEA users for now, their very existence—mandated not by corporate benevolence but by governmental regulation—may prove to be the first domino in a broader democratization of Windows' ecosystem. The coming months will test the robustness of Microsoft’s implementation, the real-world uptake by users, and the willingness of other governments to follow the EU’s bolder lead.
If history is any guide, positive user reception and the inexorable spread of user-centered policy elsewhere could make the EEA’s experiment the new default for Windows. For now, EEA users are living the dream—and many around the world will be watching, hoping they’re next.
Source: Windows Report Windows users in the EEA will finally stop getting nagged about Edge
The Stubborn Edge: Years of User Frustration
Since the launch of Microsoft Edge in 2015, the browser has been at the center of Microsoft’s campaign to regain lost ground in the browser wars. For many, however, the campaign often crossed into annoyance, with Windows systems regularly prompting users to try—or worse, switch back to—Edge, even after setting another browser as default. These prompts could appear after system updates, when opening particular file types, or even through pop-ups triggered by unrelated actions within Windows.Critics and users alike have criticized these persistent 'recommendations,' describing them as intrusive and manipulative. Technology forums are filled with threads and workarounds for disabling Edge-related popups, only for Microsoft to introduce new tactics with subsequent updates. The situation escalated to the point where even third-party tools like EdgeDeflector—which forced Windows to respect the user's chosen browser for certain types of web links—were rendered unusable by changes to the operating system itself.
The Digital Markets Act: Forcing Big Tech to Change
The catalyst for meaningful change came not from Redmond, but from Brussels. The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which entered into force in May 2023, is a sweeping set of regulations targeting so-called “gatekeepers”—large platforms with considerable market influence. Under the DMA, these gatekeepers are required to allow users to uninstall preinstalled apps, choose their own defaults easily, and port data between services, among other provisions.Microsoft is classified as a gatekeeper under the DMA, particularly because of Windows' dominance in desktop computing throughout the EEA. The regulation’s intent is clear: restore genuine user control and promote competition by preventing anti-competitive bundling and forced defaults. In Microsoft's case, this means finally letting users remove Edge, the Microsoft Store, and other components that have historically resisted user tampering.
What’s Changing for Windows Users in the EEA
Starting on May 29, 2024, with Edge version 137.0.3296.52, Windows users in the EEA are seeing the results of this regulatory intervention. Here’s a breakdown of the most impactful new options:Uninstall Microsoft Edge and the Microsoft Store
For the first time, users can fully remove the Microsoft Store and the Edge browser from their systems—no longer just hiding these apps, but completely uninstalling them via standard Windows mechanisms. This represents a major reversal from previous policy, where both apps were considered core components and could only be disabled with unsupported workarounds.Default Browser: No More Hidden Exceptions
In the past, setting a default browser in Windows was a minefield. While apps like Chrome or Firefox could handle standard web links, Microsoft funneled specific types of URLs—or those launched from system components like Windows search, widgets, or even the lock screen—through Edge, regardless of user settings. For EEA users, this is no longer the case. Now, changing your default browser applies broadly, including:- All major browser-related file types (.htm, .html, .svg, etc.)
- Protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and more
- Links launched from system areas (widgets, Bing, lock screen)
More Fine-Grained Start Menu and Taskbar Behavior
Switching your default browser now seamlessly pins the alternative browser (e.g., Chrome or Firefox) to the taskbar, unless you opt out. This may seem subtle, but it removes an extra step that previously required manual adjustment and ensures that the chosen browser is immediately accessible.Expanded Search Provider Freedom
Another significant pain point has been the integration of Windows Search with Bing, limiting the visibility of other search engines within the OS. Under the new policies, users can:- Reorder search engines within Windows Search
- Allow third-party apps to inject their own web results (e.g., DuckDuckGo, Startpage)
- Reduce the prominence of Bing or replace it altogether, should they wish
Updates Without Lock-In
One technical concern long associated with removing Microsoft Store or other core apps is whether this would "break" Windows updates. Microsoft now explicitly states that updates will proceed as normal, even after these apps are removed, and that the Store can be reinstalled easily if a user later changes their mind.What This Means for the Broader Windows Ecosystem
Security and User Choice: Balancing Priorities
From a security perspective, critics have sometimes argued that tightly integrating Microsoft apps allows for more coordinated patching and malware resistance. Microsoft itself has invoked security as a rationale for limiting app uninstall options, especially around browser and store features that could—in theory—be leveraged for phishing or unauthorized downloads.Yet, evidence supporting these claims as a critical obstacle to user control is scant. Other major operating systems (notably Android and iOS) have implemented similar levels of user-choice without an associated surge in security incidents. Furthermore, Microsoft’s new policy in the EEA retains the option to reinstall the Store app—a clear acknowledgment that uninstalling it is not a one-way door to increased risk.
The Value of Competition
Perhaps the most significant impact of the DMA-inspired changes will unfold over time: third-party browsers and app stores are now genuinely on an equal footing in terms of user experience. Developers no longer have to work around artificial restrictions, and users are less likely to be bullied into using Microsoft products by sheer force of default status or persistent reminders. This could invigorate competition and drive better development across the ecosystem, not just in the EEA but—potentially—worldwide if Microsoft eventually rolls out these changes more broadly.Still Geographically Limited—for Now
Crucially, these new freedoms and options only apply to users in the 30 countries comprising the European Economic Area: all 27 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Users in North America, the UK (which left the EU), and the rest of the world remain subject to the traditional, more restrictive Windows experience.There is no indication that Microsoft plans to extend these features to users outside the EEA, even as similar complaints and regulatory scrutiny grow in other markets. In the United States, for example, the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general have repeatedly called out the "dark patterns" used to promote Microsoft Edge and Bing, but no direct intervention or legislative equivalent to the DMA exists yet. Users in these non-EEA regions will need to wait and watch—or consider alternative workarounds that may compromise their system integrity or stability.
Implementation: How the Changes Work in Practice
Software Rollout and Versioning
According to Microsoft’s release notes and support documentation, the revisions started appearing in Edge version 137.0.3296.52 and are expected to proliferate through early June via Windows Updates across both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Notably, users must be physically located within the EEA for these features to unlock, and localization is enforced based on regional settings and IP geolocation.Removing Microsoft Store and Edge
Uninstallation now uses familiar on-off toggles and right-click context menus in Windows Settings and the Start menu. Both the Store and Edge can be cleanly removed—without residual components lurking behind the scenes. For those who change their mind, reinstallation links are provided either through the Windows website or by using PowerShell commands documented by Microsoft.Default Browser Handling
For the first time, changing your default browser propagates uniformly across all relevant file types and protocols. Specifically, changing the browser in Windows Settings (under 'Apps > Default apps') automatically applies your choice to HTTP, HTTPS, .htm, .html, .svg, ftp, and even “read:” links—meaning links invoked by AI-powered features or screen readers are obeyed as well.App Updates and Compatibility
A key concern for admins and advanced users is whether removing the Microsoft Store impinges on system updates or app compatibility. Microsoft claims that all system and app updates, excluding Store-based ones, proceed as normal, and that the company has made backend changes to prevent "broken" update loops or dependency errors. This claim, repeated by multiple tech reporters and validated in early user testing, appears solid but should be watched closely as updates roll out to a wider base.Windows Search Providers
Integrating non-Bing search providers requires an initial manual selection or installation of a third-party app, after which users can reorder or even remove Bing from the list of available web search sources inside Windows Search. While the core OS retains Bing integration “out of the box,” this newfound flexibility means power users can essentially “de-Bing” their desktop experience if they wish.User Reception and Real-World Experience
Enthusiastic Uptake and Early Praise
Initial reports from Windows users and tech journalists in the EEA indicate a highly positive reception, especially among power users and IT professionals frustrated by years of forced defaults and unsolicited popups. The ability to fully purge Edge and the Microsoft Store resonates strongly with those seeking a leaner, less bloated system, and the reworking of default browser behaviors brings Windows in line with user expectations.On technology forums, there’s a renewed sense of optimism that Microsoft may finally listen to user feedback—at least when compelled by regulation. Many hope that the success and simplicity of these EEA-exclusive features will pressure the company to unlock them globally, but there’s no sign of movement on that front yet.
Looming Questions and Potential Risks
However, the new latitude raises a few legitimate concerns. While Microsoft claims system-wide compatibility and update robustness following removal of core apps, there is still limited long-term data on edge cases or rare system configurations. Organizations that rely on the Microsoft Store for distribution of in-house apps may require retraining or updated documentation.Furthermore, granular regional enforcement of these rules (based on IP, system region, or licensing) could cause confusion for multi-regional companies or users who travel frequently. For instance, what happens if a user uninstalls the Store in Germany but then travels to the US for an extended period? Microsoft’s documentation suggests that the features persist, but the company could conceivably enforce future restrictions or reversals if system region or licensing changes.
Broader Regulatory and Industry Implications
A Template for Global User Empowerment?
The DMA’s impact on Microsoft is already rippling across the broader tech sector. Google has pre-emptively adjusted bundling practices for Chrome and Search in Android across the EEA. Apple, while slower to adapt, has hinted at allowing alternative app stores—a tectonic shift for an ecosystem famous for its walled garden.For Microsoft, the EEA changes represent both a regulatory challenge and a brand opportunity. By embracing not just the letter but the spirit of the DMA, the company could win back goodwill from a skeptical user base, provided it ultimately extends these freedoms beyond the minimum required by law.
What Might Come Next
The critical question for millions of Windows users outside the EEA is simple: Will Microsoft voluntarily unlock these user-centric reforms for everyone? There is an argument to be made that, in an era defined by user choice and privacy, the company could bolster its global standing by adopting a single, user-friendly policy worldwide. Companies that embrace user-centric design—rather than legal minimums—often see long-term loyalty and reputational gains.In the meantime, watchful regulators, especially in North America and Asia, are closely tracking how the EEA rules play out for Windows. If Microsoft’s changes are regarded as positive and without major negative impact, other authorities may feel emboldened to pursue similar regulations, or at least ratchet up pressure for voluntary compliance.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Windows, Driven by Regulation
For the first time in decades, the Windows user experience in the EEA truly reflects the choices and preferences of its users—not just the strategic interests of its creator. The ability to uninstall Edge and the Microsoft Store, enjoy a unified default browser experience, and reorder or replace system search providers feels like a breath of fresh air for a platform too often defined by lock-in and opaque control.While these freedoms remain restricted to EEA users for now, their very existence—mandated not by corporate benevolence but by governmental regulation—may prove to be the first domino in a broader democratization of Windows' ecosystem. The coming months will test the robustness of Microsoft’s implementation, the real-world uptake by users, and the willingness of other governments to follow the EU’s bolder lead.
If history is any guide, positive user reception and the inexorable spread of user-centered policy elsewhere could make the EEA’s experiment the new default for Windows. For now, EEA users are living the dream—and many around the world will be watching, hoping they’re next.
Source: Windows Report Windows users in the EEA will finally stop getting nagged about Edge
