For Windows 11 users, the tug-of-war between operating system defaults and user choice has been a recurring theme, often centered around Microsoft's persistent efforts to funnel web activity through its own Edge browser. In a recent twist, however, Windows 11 users in Europe are now experiencing a significant shift—one that restores a semblance of autonomy in choosing their preferred web browser, thanks to regulatory pressure rather than corporate goodwill. This development, while regionally limited, offers valuable insight into the broader debate around tech monopolies, user rights, and the global patchwork of digital regulations—with ramifications that extend well beyond Europe’s borders.
Microsoft’s Windows 11 has faced criticism for its aggressive promotion of Edge, sometimes circumventing user preferences by forcing links from specific areas—such as the widgets board and search—to open in Edge, regardless of the system's default browser settings. These tactics, though framed as efforts to maintain a streamlined ecosystem, have routinely irked users who favor alternatives like Chrome, Firefox, or Opera.
However, recent reports confirm that, at least for users in the European Economic Area (EEA), Microsoft’s hand has been forced. Citing compliance with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Windows 11 now opens links from its widget board—and reportedly Spotlight links from the desktop and lock screen as well—in whichever browser the user has designated as default. The change was first verified by Windows Latest through controlled virtual machine tests, confirming that this kinder, less coercive behavioral pattern is rolling out—albeit quietly and only within the EEA.
Crucially, the change hinges on an update delivered via the Microsoft Store—specifically, an update to the “Start Experiences App.” Users who aren’t yet seeing the improvement may need to manually check for updates in the Microsoft Store. Once the update is applied, links from the widget board (and reportedly other curated sources within Windows 11) open as expected, honoring user preferences.
Previous iterations of the law have already spurred similar changes in other ecosystems. For instance, Apple has made adjustments to system-level browser and app selection, while Google has also faced regulatory intervention in its core markets. The DMA’s stipulations are clear: users must not only have the option to change default apps, but their choices must be respected by all components of an operating system. This means “special links” or apps cannot subvert the default preferences to favor first-party options.
Nevertheless, the underlying trend is unmistakable: European regulators are reshaping how U.S.-based technology giants interact with consumers in their jurisdiction, forcing changes that, for now, remain strictly regional.
When pressed on the potential for global deployment of these less restrictive practices, Microsoft has offered little in the way of reassurance. Without regulatory mandates similar to the DMA, it appears highly unlikely that American users (or those in other non-EEA markets) will see these freedoms extended voluntarily. Industry commentators have consistently pointed out that, in the absence of legal or economic pressure, Microsoft (like many of its big tech peers) has little incentive to enable user choice in ways that may erode its ecosystem’s stickiness or compromise its search ad revenue.
Meanwhile, workarounds with third-party applications to force default browser compliance may introduce vulnerabilities or break as system updates are introduced. This piecemeal reality further increases the complexity of managing Windows deployments, particularly in heterogeneous enterprise environments.
The re-emergence of default browser friction under Windows 11 underscores that the battles of the browser wars are far from over, merely rendered more subtle by changes in user interface and workflow.
Increasing attention from both federal regulators and state attorneys general—spurred by bipartisan concern over big tech’s excesses—could, in theory, catalyze change. Indeed, major lawsuits against companies such as Google and Apple have highlighted the enduring power of defaults to shape user behavior and market outcomes.
In other geographies, including Australia, Canada, and parts of Asia, policymakers may well look to Europe as a model for digital regulation. The pace at which such changes propagate will be closely tied to both political will and the lobbying strength of incumbent tech giants—a dynamic playing out with increasing frequency but variable results worldwide.
Yet the region-specific nature of the improvement also highlights the limitations of national or supranational regulation in a global tech economy. For the majority of Windows 11 users, system defaults continue to be, at times, honored in the breach more than the observance—a fact unlikely to change without comparable enforcement outside Europe.
The news also serves as a reminder that corporate self-regulation predictably gives way to user empowerment only when backed by credible external pressure. For now, Windows 11 users in the EEA can enjoy a less pushy, more respectful operating system experience, while others must continue to improvise—or wait for the next battleground in the ongoing fight for digital choice.
For those eager to see these changes elsewhere, the lesson is clear: the path to a user-first OS experience lies not merely in product design, but in policy, activism, and the persistent assertion of digital rights at the highest legislative levels. Until then, dodging Edge—literally and figuratively—will remain a privilege, not a baseline expectation, for Windows 11 users worldwide.
Source: TweakTown Windows 11 gets to dodge Edge in Europe (again), but don't hold your breath for this in the US
Microsoft’s Windows 11 has faced criticism for its aggressive promotion of Edge, sometimes circumventing user preferences by forcing links from specific areas—such as the widgets board and search—to open in Edge, regardless of the system's default browser settings. These tactics, though framed as efforts to maintain a streamlined ecosystem, have routinely irked users who favor alternatives like Chrome, Firefox, or Opera.However, recent reports confirm that, at least for users in the European Economic Area (EEA), Microsoft’s hand has been forced. Citing compliance with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Windows 11 now opens links from its widget board—and reportedly Spotlight links from the desktop and lock screen as well—in whichever browser the user has designated as default. The change was first verified by Windows Latest through controlled virtual machine tests, confirming that this kinder, less coercive behavioral pattern is rolling out—albeit quietly and only within the EEA.
What’s Actually Changed
For end users, the most noticeable difference is the escape from Edge’s omnipresence. Where previously a click on a news link in the Windows 11 widgets board would override the user set default and launch Edge, the action now defaults to the user’s chosen browser. This alteration, although seemingly minor, is profound for advocates of user agency and choice.Crucially, the change hinges on an update delivered via the Microsoft Store—specifically, an update to the “Start Experiences App.” Users who aren’t yet seeing the improvement may need to manually check for updates in the Microsoft Store. Once the update is applied, links from the widget board (and reportedly other curated sources within Windows 11) open as expected, honoring user preferences.
Regulatory Muscle: The Role of the Digital Markets Act
The catalyst for this change is not a voluntary recalibration of Microsoft’s user experience philosophy, but the looming and now active requirements of the Digital Markets Act—a sweeping EU regulation aimed at curbing anticompetitive behavior by “gatekeeper” tech firms. The DMA mandates, among other requirements, that operating systems respect user choices when it comes to default applications.Previous iterations of the law have already spurred similar changes in other ecosystems. For instance, Apple has made adjustments to system-level browser and app selection, while Google has also faced regulatory intervention in its core markets. The DMA’s stipulations are clear: users must not only have the option to change default apps, but their choices must be respected by all components of an operating system. This means “special links” or apps cannot subvert the default preferences to favor first-party options.
Enforcement and Real-World Impact
Implementation of these regulations is ongoing. Early testing by journalists and enthusiasts has confirmed the new behavior in Windows 11, but as with all regulatory-driven updates, adoption can be uneven at the outset. Some users may not see the change immediately if the relevant update has not yet rolled out to their device. Microsoft’s own support documentation (as observed in resources like Windows Latest and community forums) suggests visiting the Microsoft Store, navigating to Downloads, and triggering a “Check for updates.” The process underscores the somewhat piecemeal nature of compliance-driven feature deployment—a process likely to create short-term confusion for less tech-savvy users.Nevertheless, the underlying trend is unmistakable: European regulators are reshaping how U.S.-based technology giants interact with consumers in their jurisdiction, forcing changes that, for now, remain strictly regional.
The U.S. Perspective: Regulatory Inertia and Continued Frustration
For Windows 11 users outside of the EEA—particularly in the United States—these changes remain tantalizingly out of reach. The same operating system continues to privilege Edge, especially in system-reserved areas, often overriding user preferences in the name of a more “integrated” Microsoft experience.When pressed on the potential for global deployment of these less restrictive practices, Microsoft has offered little in the way of reassurance. Without regulatory mandates similar to the DMA, it appears highly unlikely that American users (or those in other non-EEA markets) will see these freedoms extended voluntarily. Industry commentators have consistently pointed out that, in the absence of legal or economic pressure, Microsoft (like many of its big tech peers) has little incentive to enable user choice in ways that may erode its ecosystem’s stickiness or compromise its search ad revenue.
Why the Reluctance?
Microsoft’s investment in Edge is substantial, and the browser serves as both a revenue channel (through Bing-driven ad sales) and a data collection point, integral to its broader ecosystem strategy. Conceding control over how and where users launch web content risks diminishing both—an outcome counter to the strategic goals of one of the world’s largest software companies. Thus, without the regulatory threat poised by EU watchdogs, there is little impetus to relinquish even the niche control exerted in areas like widgets or lock screen news feeds.Advantages for Users in Europe: A Critical Assessment
The shift, while modest in scope, is a clear win for digital rights and user empowerment within Europe. Users can now reliably expect their system-level preferences to be respected, at least in contexts covered by the new compliance obligations. The move aligns with established best practices in computing, where user agency is central to system usability and security.Major Strengths
- Restored User Agency: The most unambiguous positive is the restored primacy of user choice. For many, the ability to set a system default browser and have every app respect that choice is a foundational expectation—a basic component of modern OS design.
- Greater Transparency: Regulatory actions such as the DMA bolster transparency, making it clear when vendors are constrained to comply with user-centric best practices, rather than acting purely from self-interest.
- Potential Ripple Effects: Precedent spread is possible if other jurisdictions follow Europe’s lead, either by replicating similar laws or by exerting consumer pressure based on media visibility of the improvements in the EEA.
Implementation Limitations
- Patchy User Experience: The update mechanism, reliant on a Microsoft Store app update, means rollout may be fragmented. Some users may still face confusion, particularly if they miss guidance on seeking out the relevant update.
- Incomplete Scope: While the widgets board and some related features like Windows Spotlight are confirmed to respect default browser preferences, not every Edge-centric feature has been forcibly opened to competition. Certain system components and shortcuts may still retain preferential ties to Edge, depending on specific Windows builds and configurations.
- Geofencing Complexity: The limitation of these changes to EEA countries introduces further fragmentation, complicating the lives of multinational users or those who travel frequently with mobile devices set to non-EEA locales.
Risks and Challenges: Global Inconsistency and User Frustration
While the European changes are noteworthy, the global Windows user base is left coping with inconsistent experiences—a classic case of regulatory balkanization. For most users outside the EEA, frustration persists as system defaults are ignored in favor of promoting Microsoft products. This duality complicates support and messaging, leaves users feeling disenfranchised, and risks driving more technical users toward workarounds—sometimes with unintended security consequences.Security and Privacy Considerations
On one hand, Microsoft’s privilege of Edge can be defended on security grounds: Edge is tightly integrated with Windows and its security model, potentially enabling faster patching and a consistent defense baseline. However, forcing its use also consolidates telemetry and user activity data with Microsoft, raising privacy flags—especially in jurisdictions less protective of consumer data than the EU.Meanwhile, workarounds with third-party applications to force default browser compliance may introduce vulnerabilities or break as system updates are introduced. This piecemeal reality further increases the complexity of managing Windows deployments, particularly in heterogeneous enterprise environments.
The Shadow of Antitrust
Microsoft has a storied history when it comes to browser bundling and antitrust litigation. Early 2000s legal battles, including the landmark U.S. v. Microsoft Corp. case, centered on the integration of Internet Explorer, and subsequent regulatory settlements forced loosened coupling in certain markets. However, as the platform and competitive landscape have evolved from internet browsers to entire ecosystems, the stakes—and potential remedies—have become more nuanced.The re-emergence of default browser friction under Windows 11 underscores that the battles of the browser wars are far from over, merely rendered more subtle by changes in user interface and workflow.
Could the U.S. or Other Regions Follow Europe’s Lead?
The American regulatory landscape, while more active in the past decade, has thus far failed to enact DMA-equivalent legislation with sufficient teeth to dictate software interoperability or user choice at this granular level. The result is an environment where, absent clear market power abuses or egregious anticompetitive behavior, companies retain latitude in how they structure default settings.Increasing attention from both federal regulators and state attorneys general—spurred by bipartisan concern over big tech’s excesses—could, in theory, catalyze change. Indeed, major lawsuits against companies such as Google and Apple have highlighted the enduring power of defaults to shape user behavior and market outcomes.
Prospects for Change
Industry observers agree consensus in the U.S. Congress on digital markets reform remains elusive. Without legislative action, Microsoft is unlikely to unilaterally introduce friendlier default browser behavior outside regulated markets, at least in the near- to medium-term. However, increasing visibility of user frustration, international press coverage, and sharper state-level actions could incrementally apply pressure.In other geographies, including Australia, Canada, and parts of Asia, policymakers may well look to Europe as a model for digital regulation. The pace at which such changes propagate will be closely tied to both political will and the lobbying strength of incumbent tech giants—a dynamic playing out with increasing frequency but variable results worldwide.
The Bottom Line: A Complicated Victory
The decision by Microsoft to finally honor user default browser settings in the Windows 11 widget board and related areas—for EEA users—is a welcome, if overdue, step towards user-centric computing. It reaffirms the importance of regulatory intervention in shaping digital markets, demonstrating that meaningful change can occur when governments wield sufficient leverage.Yet the region-specific nature of the improvement also highlights the limitations of national or supranational regulation in a global tech economy. For the majority of Windows 11 users, system defaults continue to be, at times, honored in the breach more than the observance—a fact unlikely to change without comparable enforcement outside Europe.
The news also serves as a reminder that corporate self-regulation predictably gives way to user empowerment only when backed by credible external pressure. For now, Windows 11 users in the EEA can enjoy a less pushy, more respectful operating system experience, while others must continue to improvise—or wait for the next battleground in the ongoing fight for digital choice.
For those eager to see these changes elsewhere, the lesson is clear: the path to a user-first OS experience lies not merely in product design, but in policy, activism, and the persistent assertion of digital rights at the highest legislative levels. Until then, dodging Edge—literally and figuratively—will remain a privilege, not a baseline expectation, for Windows 11 users worldwide.
Source: TweakTown Windows 11 gets to dodge Edge in Europe (again), but don't hold your breath for this in the US