As Microsoft continues to evolve Windows 11, one of the most significant drivers of recent changes has come not from user feedback or technical innovation, but regulatory pressure—especially from the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This landmark legislation compels big tech “gatekeepers” to loosen their grip on platform defaults and allow competitors a fair shot at reaching users. While many of the resulting new features in Windows 11 are only available to users in Europe, the rest of the world is watching closely. Some of these features offer meaningful improvements to user autonomy and privacy that, arguably, every Windows user deserves. Here’s an in-depth look at four exclusive Windows 11 features currently limited to Europe, an analysis of why they matter, and the pressing question: Should Microsoft make these powerful tools available globally?
Europe’s Digital Markets Act, which came into force in 2023 and has seen steady enforcement throughout 2024 and beyond, is arguably the most influential tech regulation since the GDPR. The DMA targets so-called “gatekeepers”—large online platforms with entrenched market power—and seeks to foster greater competition and choice for consumers by mandating interoperability, transparency, and the ability to remove default services.
For Microsoft, this means a sweeping re-examination of how tightly Windows ties users to its own products—especially when it comes to browsing, search, software distribution, and new AI-powered features. The result: a set of noteworthy new capabilities that empower European users in ways users elsewhere can only envy for now.
Now, in the European Economic Area, Microsoft has introduced a native option: users can head to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and uninstall Microsoft Edge just like any other application. The process is seamless, intuitive, and mirrors how Windows handles third-party browsers, marking perhaps the first time since Internet Explorer that Microsoft has treated its browser as an equal citizen in its OS ecosystem.
Notably, the same freedom applies to other core apps, such as the Microsoft Store. While the Store is central to app installation and updates, European users can remove it entirely—a powerful illustration of user autonomy. Microsoft has also reduced persistent prompts and reminders to set Edge as the default browser for these regions, a small but welcome reduction in so-called “nagware.”
Critical Analysis:
This move isn’t just symbolic; it aligns Windows with consumer expectations across multiple platforms. Both iOS (post-2024 updates) and Android now allow full removal of default browsers and stores in many territories. The user experience is cleaner, and users avoid redundant software. Potential risks, however, are nontrivial. The Store and Edge are tightly woven into Windows’ update mechanisms, security infrastructure, and app distribution model. Wholesale removal may leave some users confused about software sourcing or vulnerable to less-secure third-party solutions. That said, Microsoft has placed appropriate warnings before uninstalling these apps, mitigating some of the risk.
Globally, this approach would set a powerful precedent. As it stands, users outside Europe remain beholden to a web browser they may never use—an increasingly outdated experience in 2025.
As a result, European builds of Windows 11 include specialized export options for Recall data. During initial setup, the system generates a one-time code that allows you to grant third-party apps and websites selective, encrypted access to your activity snapshots. Users can choose between exporting past snapshots (“Export past snapshots”), sharing future activities (“Export snapshots from now on”), or removing access altogether via a redesigned Advanced Settings menu.
Crucially, Microsoft never stores the export code—it’s local, ephemeral, and only visible once. Lose the code, and your only recourse is to reset Recall, which erases all stored data and settings.
Critical Analysis:
From a privacy standpoint, this feature is a major win. It sets a new benchmark for how cloud-connected, AI-powered platforms should treat sensitive user data. By making activity histories portable, encrypted, and revocable, Microsoft gives users granular control rarely seen in consumer operating systems.
The risk? Only advanced users are likely to fully leverage these controls. The “one code, one time” setup reduces attack surfaces but introduces a major usability pitfall—losing the code means starting over. If rolled out globally, clear instructions and robust backup/recovery mechanisms would be critical. Still, this is a forward-thinking solution that gives users more control, not less, over their digital lives.
In response to the DMA, European Windows 11 builds now offer advanced browser default controls. When users select a new default browser, the system updates primary file types like HTTP, HTTPS, HTM, and HTML. But in Europe, the default-setting extends further: coveted file types such as FTP, MHT, SVG, XHTML, and even certain system “read” file handlers can be switched in one click. If the new browser supports PDFs, users can delegate this role as well—ending Edge’s monopoly on PDF links and documents.
Additionally, the chosen default browser is automatically pinned to both the Taskbar and Start menu, reducing the friction of switching browsers and making user preferences front and center.
Critical Analysis:
These refinements offer a level of user autonomy that power users have long demanded. For IT administrators and businesses in regulated industries, the expanded controls help streamline device management and bolster compliance efforts.
Yet, some caution is warranted. Not all browsers are equally secure or reliable with every content type, especially complex file formats like MHT or SVG. While tech-savvy users can judge replacements, many consumers may inadvertently create unstable or less secure associations. Microsoft’s European settings include warnings, but a global rollout would demand broader education and, perhaps, additional safeguards or recommended default lists curated for security.
Nonetheless, this change would be a substantial leap toward platform neutrality for users everywhere.
Following DMA guidance, Windows 11 devices in Europe now allow users to change their default web search provider natively. Within the Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions panel, a new toggle—“Let search apps show results”—enables users to specify an alternative provider. The integration is so deep that Bing can even be uninstalled as a system app through Settings > Apps > Installed apps, finally putting real muscle behind search engine choice.
Critical Analysis:
This is a profound shift. Giving users genuine search-provider choice not only levels the playing field for Google and privacy-first engines, but it reduces the risk of search monopolies subtly shaping what users see. It also enables regional and specialty providers to participate in the desktop search ecosystem without resorting to hacks or unapproved software.
The challenge: Ensuring alternative providers integrate securely and reliably with the Windows search framework. Microsoft has, for now, only exposed this feature regionally—likely to both comply with the strict letter of EU law and safeguard the seamlessness of the user experience.
A worldwide expansion, though, would remove a persistent irritant for many. Browser vendors and privacy advocates have lobbied for exactly this capability for years, and there’s strong consumer appetite for it.
There’s also the issue of consistency and support load. Rolling out such foundational changes worldwide requires extensive documentation, troubleshooting capacity, and localization; user confusion or frustration could quickly escalate if third-party tools prove buggy or less secure.
Nonetheless, there is a strong moral and practical case for making these changes global:
To make such a rollout successful, Microsoft would need to:
Although some technical concerns and business risks exist, the clear net benefit argues for a global rollout: secure uninstallation of Edge and the Store, robust Recall data portability, comprehensive browser default controls, and real search engine freedom. By embracing a future where these rights aren’t gated by geography, Microsoft would demonstrate authentic leadership in the digital era—and build a Windows that, at last, truly puts power in the hands of every user.
Source: inkl 4 features on Windows 11 exclusive to Europe that Microsoft should make global
The Regulatory Shift Driving Transparency: Understanding the Digital Markets Act
Europe’s Digital Markets Act, which came into force in 2023 and has seen steady enforcement throughout 2024 and beyond, is arguably the most influential tech regulation since the GDPR. The DMA targets so-called “gatekeepers”—large online platforms with entrenched market power—and seeks to foster greater competition and choice for consumers by mandating interoperability, transparency, and the ability to remove default services.For Microsoft, this means a sweeping re-examination of how tightly Windows ties users to its own products—especially when it comes to browsing, search, software distribution, and new AI-powered features. The result: a set of noteworthy new capabilities that empower European users in ways users elsewhere can only envy for now.
1. Full Microsoft Edge Uninstallation: Browsing Freedom Achieved
Perhaps the most visible and controversial example of the DMA’s impact is the newfound ability for European Windows 11 users to uninstall Microsoft Edge completely. Historically, Edge has been bundled so deeply into Windows that even after choosing a different default browser, users couldn’t fully remove it. While ordinary uninstallation could be performed through Settings with other browsers, Edge was immune—occasionally surfacing via system tools or as the fallback for certain file types and links.Now, in the European Economic Area, Microsoft has introduced a native option: users can head to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and uninstall Microsoft Edge just like any other application. The process is seamless, intuitive, and mirrors how Windows handles third-party browsers, marking perhaps the first time since Internet Explorer that Microsoft has treated its browser as an equal citizen in its OS ecosystem.
Notably, the same freedom applies to other core apps, such as the Microsoft Store. While the Store is central to app installation and updates, European users can remove it entirely—a powerful illustration of user autonomy. Microsoft has also reduced persistent prompts and reminders to set Edge as the default browser for these regions, a small but welcome reduction in so-called “nagware.”
Critical Analysis:
This move isn’t just symbolic; it aligns Windows with consumer expectations across multiple platforms. Both iOS (post-2024 updates) and Android now allow full removal of default browsers and stores in many territories. The user experience is cleaner, and users avoid redundant software. Potential risks, however, are nontrivial. The Store and Edge are tightly woven into Windows’ update mechanisms, security infrastructure, and app distribution model. Wholesale removal may leave some users confused about software sourcing or vulnerable to less-secure third-party solutions. That said, Microsoft has placed appropriate warnings before uninstalling these apps, mitigating some of the risk.
Globally, this approach would set a powerful precedent. As it stands, users outside Europe remain beholden to a web browser they may never use—an increasingly outdated experience in 2025.
2. The Recall Export Feature: Your Data, More Private (and Portable)
Recall, Microsoft’s ambitious new AI-powered feature in Windows 11, promises to revolutionize productivity by taking “snapshots” of your activities for easy future reference. But such a powerful feature also introduces complex privacy and data portability challenges. European regulators, attentive to privacy concerns, have pressured Microsoft to give users detailed control over their Recall histories.As a result, European builds of Windows 11 include specialized export options for Recall data. During initial setup, the system generates a one-time code that allows you to grant third-party apps and websites selective, encrypted access to your activity snapshots. Users can choose between exporting past snapshots (“Export past snapshots”), sharing future activities (“Export snapshots from now on”), or removing access altogether via a redesigned Advanced Settings menu.
Crucially, Microsoft never stores the export code—it’s local, ephemeral, and only visible once. Lose the code, and your only recourse is to reset Recall, which erases all stored data and settings.
Critical Analysis:
From a privacy standpoint, this feature is a major win. It sets a new benchmark for how cloud-connected, AI-powered platforms should treat sensitive user data. By making activity histories portable, encrypted, and revocable, Microsoft gives users granular control rarely seen in consumer operating systems.
The risk? Only advanced users are likely to fully leverage these controls. The “one code, one time” setup reduces attack surfaces but introduces a major usability pitfall—losing the code means starting over. If rolled out globally, clear instructions and robust backup/recovery mechanisms would be critical. Still, this is a forward-thinking solution that gives users more control, not less, over their digital lives.
3. Default Browser and File Type Control: No More Back Doors
For years, users and industry observers have voiced frustration at Microsoft’s handling of browser defaults. Despite third-party browser installation and apparent user choice, Windows continued to route certain links and file types (such as .pdf, .svg, or web-related protocols) through Edge by default. This complicated the experience and inflamed antitrust concerns worldwide.In response to the DMA, European Windows 11 builds now offer advanced browser default controls. When users select a new default browser, the system updates primary file types like HTTP, HTTPS, HTM, and HTML. But in Europe, the default-setting extends further: coveted file types such as FTP, MHT, SVG, XHTML, and even certain system “read” file handlers can be switched in one click. If the new browser supports PDFs, users can delegate this role as well—ending Edge’s monopoly on PDF links and documents.
Additionally, the chosen default browser is automatically pinned to both the Taskbar and Start menu, reducing the friction of switching browsers and making user preferences front and center.
Critical Analysis:
These refinements offer a level of user autonomy that power users have long demanded. For IT administrators and businesses in regulated industries, the expanded controls help streamline device management and bolster compliance efforts.
Yet, some caution is warranted. Not all browsers are equally secure or reliable with every content type, especially complex file formats like MHT or SVG. While tech-savvy users can judge replacements, many consumers may inadvertently create unstable or less secure associations. Microsoft’s European settings include warnings, but a global rollout would demand broader education and, perhaps, additional safeguards or recommended default lists curated for security.
Nonetheless, this change would be a substantial leap toward platform neutrality for users everywhere.
4. True Search Engine Freedom: Bing No Longer Baked In
Windows 11’s built-in Search experience—spanning Start Menu, Cortana, and widgets—has long been intertwined with Microsoft’s Bing search engine. Changing this behavior globally was a workaround-laden process, requiring third-party utilities and dubious registry edits. For many, the inability to swap out Bing for more familiar or preferred services like Google, DuckDuckGo, or StartPage has felt increasingly anachronistic.Following DMA guidance, Windows 11 devices in Europe now allow users to change their default web search provider natively. Within the Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions panel, a new toggle—“Let search apps show results”—enables users to specify an alternative provider. The integration is so deep that Bing can even be uninstalled as a system app through Settings > Apps > Installed apps, finally putting real muscle behind search engine choice.
Critical Analysis:
This is a profound shift. Giving users genuine search-provider choice not only levels the playing field for Google and privacy-first engines, but it reduces the risk of search monopolies subtly shaping what users see. It also enables regional and specialty providers to participate in the desktop search ecosystem without resorting to hacks or unapproved software.
The challenge: Ensuring alternative providers integrate securely and reliably with the Windows search framework. Microsoft has, for now, only exposed this feature regionally—likely to both comply with the strict letter of EU law and safeguard the seamlessness of the user experience.
A worldwide expansion, though, would remove a persistent irritant for many. Browser vendors and privacy advocates have lobbied for exactly this capability for years, and there’s strong consumer appetite for it.
The Global Implications: Why Microsoft Might Hold Back
From a technical perspective, Microsoft could enable these features for all users in a matter of days—a simple server-side toggle or cumulative update. Yet the company has opted for geographic restriction, both to satisfy regulators precisely and, critics argue, to protect its downstream business interests. After all, Edge and Bing are not just software; they are central to Microsoft’s cloud, advertising, and consumer data platforms.There’s also the issue of consistency and support load. Rolling out such foundational changes worldwide requires extensive documentation, troubleshooting capacity, and localization; user confusion or frustration could quickly escalate if third-party tools prove buggy or less secure.
Nonetheless, there is a strong moral and practical case for making these changes global:
- Regulatory parity: Why should user rights to remove Edge, select defaults, or control Recall data depend on geography? Consumer trust depends on consistency.
- Competitive pressure: Apple, Google, and others are moving toward more open defaults in response to both user demand and regulatory scrutiny.
- Ecosystem health: Greater platform flexibility attracts more software innovation—critical in an era where generative AI, smart search, and privacy-first apps are surging in popularity.
- Reputational benefit: Demonstrating a “user-first” ethos would help Microsoft shed lingering antitrust baggage.
Moving Forward: The Case for Universal Access
Microsoft’s European-only Windows 11 features are not minor UI tweaks—they are foundational changes that re-assert user autonomy in crucial areas: web browsing, app installation, activity history access, and search engine selection. As more companies and jurisdictions demand “fairness by design,” globalizing these features is not just a technical inevitability but also a competitive necessity.To make such a rollout successful, Microsoft would need to:
- Provide detailed user education and onboarding to explain the implications of removing core apps.
- Offer robust warnings and fallback mechanisms, especially around the security risks of third-party apps or changing key file handlers.
- Collaborate with browser and search vendors to ensure deep, stable integration with Windows’ unique APIs.
- Regularly audit the process to prevent abuse, fragmentation, or the inadvertent installation of malicious alternatives.
Conclusion: Opportunity or Missed Moment?
Microsoft’s concessions to European regulators in Windows 11 aren’t the half-measures of the past. They represent a fundamental re-alignment of operating system design toward user choice, data control, and competitive neutrality—ideas that resonate beyond any one continent.Although some technical concerns and business risks exist, the clear net benefit argues for a global rollout: secure uninstallation of Edge and the Store, robust Recall data portability, comprehensive browser default controls, and real search engine freedom. By embracing a future where these rights aren’t gated by geography, Microsoft would demonstrate authentic leadership in the digital era—and build a Windows that, at last, truly puts power in the hands of every user.
Source: inkl 4 features on Windows 11 exclusive to Europe that Microsoft should make global
