Here are the official updates Microsoft is implementing for Windows 10, Windows 11, and Microsoft apps in the European Economic Area (EEA) to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), according to the Windows Insider Blog (June 2025):
Default Browser Changes
- Expanded Default Sets: When you choose a default browser in the EEA using the “Set default” button in Settings, more link and file types will be assigned to your chosen browser (if it registers for them):
- Link types: ftp, http, https, read
- File types: .htm, .html, .mht, .mhtml, .shtml, .svg, .xht, .xhtml, .xml
- Taskbar Pinning: Setting a default browser will pin it to the Taskbar in the EEA, unless you opt out using a checkbox.
- PDF Handling: You can now set the default browser for .pdf files, provided the browser supports it.
- Timeline: Some of these changes began rolling out in Insider builds in May 2025; more are coming to retail users starting July.
Windows Search Interoperability
- Third-Party Search Providers: Apps can now register as web search providers within Windows Search in the EEA. When you install such an app, its provider is enabled automatically.
- Multiple Providers and Tabbed Interface: It’s now easier to view and switch between results from several web search providers.
- Reorderable Providers: You can organize the order of search providers via the Settings app.
- Timeline: Rolling out to retail builds on Windows 10 and 11 in early June 2025. Developer documentation is here.
Microsoft Store Uninstall
- Uninstall Option: You can now uninstall the Microsoft Store in the EEA via Start or Settings, just like any other app.
- App Updates Persist: Apps installed from Microsoft Store will still get updates even if the Store is uninstalled.
- Reinstallation: You can reinstall the Microsoft Store if needed.
- Timeline: To be available later in 2025.
Microsoft Apps
- Bing App: Now opens web content with your default browser in the EEA.
- Rolling out early June 2025.
- Start Experiences App: (widgets/feeds) will open web content in your default browser in the EEA (Windows 11).
- Rolling out June 2025.
- On Windows 10, Edge continues to handle News & Interests.
- Microsoft Edge Prompts: Edge will only ask to be your default browser if opened directly; not after being launched by another app.
- Effective from Edge v137.0.3296.52 (May 29, 2025).
- No Reinstall Prompts: If you uninstall Microsoft Edge, other Microsoft apps won’t prompt you to reinstall it (except Progressive Web Apps from Store powered by Edge). Rolling out June.
Reference/Source:
Windows Insider Blog: Updates to Windows for the Digital Markets Act (2 June 2025)
Let me know if you would like a more detailed breakdown of any section.
Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Updates to Windows for the Digital Markets Act
