Windows 11 is once again shifting the browser battleground, but this time, the dramatic change is reserved only for those in Europe. The move brings a long-standing user request—respected browser choices—directly into the operating system’s daily workflow, at least for a select group. As of a recent update, Windows 11 now opens links from its widget board and other system services in the default browser, rather than mandatorily routing them through Microsoft Edge. However, this consumer-friendly development is fundamentally the result of legal and regulatory compulsion by the European Union, not a voluntary concession from Microsoft. For users elsewhere, notably in the United States, this change remains conspicuously absent—raising questions around digital competition, user agency, and the future direction of Windows as a platform.
For years, Microsoft’s Windows operating systems have favored the company’s Edge browser in subtle but persistent ways. Despite Windows 11 allowing users to choose their preferred browser, system-level links—such as those opened from the widget board, desktop “Spotlight” promotions, or even some search results—would stubbornly open in Edge. This practice has provoked criticism from users and browser rivals alike, breeding accusations of monopolistic behavior reminiscent of Microsoft’s previous antitrust battles around Internet Explorer.
But a dramatic shift has unfolded across the European Economic Area (EEA), encompassing the European Union and its satellite markets. Under the requirements of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA)—a landmark regulatory framework designed to curb anti-competitive conduct among tech’s largest “gatekeepers”—Microsoft has begun loosening its grip. The update, now confirmed by multiple sources including Windows Latest and TweakTown, ensures that links initiated from the Windows 11 widget board, desktop Spotlight, and lock screen finally open in whatever browser the user has set as default—be it Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or any other alternative.
Testing by European users in controlled environments shows this feature working as expected: changing the default browser in system settings results in links respecting that choice, a sharp deviation from Microsoft’s long-standing Edge-centric approach.
Step-by-Step Guide:
The company’s hesitancy to universalize this choice highlights both strategic interests and disparate regulatory landscapes. In major markets like the US, there are currently no enforceable rules requiring Microsoft to treat browser preference with the same neutrality. Thus, absent similar legal pressures, Microsoft is unlikely to voluntarily compromise one of its ecosystem’s key engagement levers.
This bifurcated experience raises critical questions:
The Act demands transparency and interoperability, strictly prohibiting the kind of service “self-preferencing” that software giants have historically leveraged for competitive advantage. The EU’s assertive approach has already forced changes from Apple (opening up iOS to alternative app stores), Google (altering Android’s default search and browser flows), and now Microsoft with respect to Windows 11.
While enforcement is still in its early phases, the practical effects are already visible to users within the EEA. For Microsoft, the calculation is clear: compliance is preferable to the reputational and financial risk of breaching DMA provisions.
By contrast, discussions among US users and others excluded from the change reveal frustration and resignation, with some expressing uncertainty over Microsoft’s motives. Critics view the move as a sign that meaningful reform awaits only under threat of legal action, not from genuine listening or customer advocacy.
Browser developers like Mozilla and Opera have repeatedly criticized Microsoft’s tactics around defaults, calling for fairer competition and more robust user choice globally. In direct interviews and public statements, they argue that users everywhere—not just in EU-regulated environments—deserve equal treatment.
Whether this shift marks the beginning of a broader, global consumer-rights movement in operating systems or simply another compliance footnote in Microsoft’s regulatory history depends on industry trends and political will in other regions. For now, Windows 11’s most user-empowering browser behavior remains, perhaps frustratingly, only for Europeans.
Until similar regulatory heat is applied elsewhere, there is little indication that US or global users will see the same freedom. For now, the best strategy for non-Europeans remains advocacy, engagement, and, where possible, pressure on lawmakers to follow the European example.
As the digital market continues to evolve and the lines between regional policy and global technology blur, this episode will serve as a fascinating case study in the delicate balance between innovation, competition, and user rights within the world’s most widely used desktop operating system.
Source: TweakTown Windows 11 gets to dodge Edge in Europe (again), but don't hold your breath for this in the US
Regulatory Pressure Forces Microsoft’s Hand
For years, Microsoft’s Windows operating systems have favored the company’s Edge browser in subtle but persistent ways. Despite Windows 11 allowing users to choose their preferred browser, system-level links—such as those opened from the widget board, desktop “Spotlight” promotions, or even some search results—would stubbornly open in Edge. This practice has provoked criticism from users and browser rivals alike, breeding accusations of monopolistic behavior reminiscent of Microsoft’s previous antitrust battles around Internet Explorer.But a dramatic shift has unfolded across the European Economic Area (EEA), encompassing the European Union and its satellite markets. Under the requirements of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA)—a landmark regulatory framework designed to curb anti-competitive conduct among tech’s largest “gatekeepers”—Microsoft has begun loosening its grip. The update, now confirmed by multiple sources including Windows Latest and TweakTown, ensures that links initiated from the Windows 11 widget board, desktop Spotlight, and lock screen finally open in whatever browser the user has set as default—be it Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or any other alternative.
Testing by European users in controlled environments shows this feature working as expected: changing the default browser in system settings results in links respecting that choice, a sharp deviation from Microsoft’s long-standing Edge-centric approach.
How to Enable the Change (If You’re in Europe)
Notably, this update doesn’t roll out automatically through traditional Windows Update mechanisms. Instead, the key component is an update to the Start Experiences App—pushed via the Microsoft Store. Users report that, if they’re still experiencing Edge-forced behavior within the EEA, a manual check for updates within the Microsoft Store can solve the problem. Specifically, updating the “Start Experiences App” should activate the new logic that honors the default browser setting for widget and Spotlight links.Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open the Microsoft Store app on your device.
- Navigate to the “Downloads & updates” section.
- Click “Check for updates.”
- Ensure that the “Start Experiences App” is updated to the latest version.
Why the US and Other Countries Are Left Out
While European consumers celebrate a less coercive version of Windows, the situation outside the EEA remains unchanged. In the US, the UK, and most of the world, system-level links within Windows 11 stubbornly default to Edge, regardless of user preference. Microsoft’s selective implementation is a direct response to the DMA’s legal mandates and the threat of regulatory sanctions in the EU, not voluntary policy.The company’s hesitancy to universalize this choice highlights both strategic interests and disparate regulatory landscapes. In major markets like the US, there are currently no enforceable rules requiring Microsoft to treat browser preference with the same neutrality. Thus, absent similar legal pressures, Microsoft is unlikely to voluntarily compromise one of its ecosystem’s key engagement levers.
This bifurcated experience raises critical questions:
- Is it fair for users to receive different experiences based on geography?
- How deeply should governments be involved in regulating digital defaults and user choice?
- What’s at stake for Microsoft if it extends—or resists—browser neutrality globally?
The Digital Markets Act: A Catalyst for Change
To understand why Microsoft made this move, one must analyze the DMA, a sweeping EU regulation that targets the practices of large tech “gatekeepers.” The DMA mandates, among other things, that platforms must not favor their own services in ways that disadvantage rivals or restrict consumer choice. Browser default behavior—seemingly trivial at first glance—becomes a litmus test for compliance and intent.The Act demands transparency and interoperability, strictly prohibiting the kind of service “self-preferencing” that software giants have historically leveraged for competitive advantage. The EU’s assertive approach has already forced changes from Apple (opening up iOS to alternative app stores), Google (altering Android’s default search and browser flows), and now Microsoft with respect to Windows 11.
While enforcement is still in its early phases, the practical effects are already visible to users within the EEA. For Microsoft, the calculation is clear: compliance is preferable to the reputational and financial risk of breaching DMA provisions.
Critical Analysis: Strengths and Unintended Consequences
Notable Strengths
1. Consumer Empowerment
Giving users meaningful choice in their browser selection is a clear win. For years, complaints have piled up regarding Microsoft’s insistence on Edge for certain actions within Windows—even after a different browser was set as default. The new update genuinely aligns system behavior with user intent, enhancing both transparency and trust.2. Healthier Competition
By relaxing control over how core system links are handled, Microsoft levels the playing field for third-party browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Vivaldi. Users no longer face tedious workarounds or third-party software to force the system to respect their choices. Such competition could motivate all vendors, including Microsoft, to innovate and improve their products.3. Legal Compliance
Perhaps the most immediate benefit for Microsoft is legal. Conforming to the DMA’s requirements helps the company avoid costly legal disputes and regulatory fines, while projecting an image of responsiveness to government oversight.4. Technical Simplicity
For IT administrators and advanced users, consistent respect for system defaults reduces both confusion and unnecessary policy complexity. Documentation becomes more accurate, and support overhead for organizations decreases.Potential Risks and Weaknesses
1. Fragmented User Experience
A critical drawback is the rise of feature fragmentation. Users in different regions now receive divergent experiences, further muddying the Windows 11 support landscape. This region-specific behavior can complicate helpdesk support, IT training, and documentation.2. Regulatory Arbitrage
The update may embolden companies to offer “compliance-only” features—delivering user-friendly changes strictly where legally mandated, but withholding them where they aren’t. This tendency risks undercutting global user trust. Some experts argue this reactive compliance model incentivizes a bare-minimum approach to consumer protection.3. Technical Workarounds Remain Necessary Elsewhere
Outside Europe, users must still rely on unofficial workarounds, such as third-party utilities like “EdgeDeflector,” to override forced Edge behavior. Microsoft has previously clamped down on such tools, even breaking compatibility with updates. This arms race leaves US and global users at a perpetual disadvantage.4. Browser Ecosystem Lock-In
Although Edge is a competent browser by most technical metrics, forced usage for system-level actions can discourage users from exploring alternatives. In a world increasingly defined by interoperability and choice, this sort of lock-in is widely seen as regressive.5. Slippery Slope of “Comply Where You Must”
If tech giants only expand pro-consumer features when coerced, broader industry progress stalls. Reform then depends upon lengthy, unpredictable political processes—rather than being driven by leadership or innovation from within.Industry and Community Responses
Reactions to Microsoft’s region-bound browser neutrality have been immediate and mixed. Across tech forums and industry commentary, European users welcomed the overdue alignment with consumer expectations. Many praised regulators for holding large platforms accountable where voluntary change had historically failed.By contrast, discussions among US users and others excluded from the change reveal frustration and resignation, with some expressing uncertainty over Microsoft’s motives. Critics view the move as a sign that meaningful reform awaits only under threat of legal action, not from genuine listening or customer advocacy.
Browser developers like Mozilla and Opera have repeatedly criticized Microsoft’s tactics around defaults, calling for fairer competition and more robust user choice globally. In direct interviews and public statements, they argue that users everywhere—not just in EU-regulated environments—deserve equal treatment.
The Technical Details: How Does Windows 11 Decide?
Drilling down, the logic by which Windows 11 routes a link depends on multiple factors:- Geographic Region: The first check is the device’s regional settings. If the device is identified as within the EEA, the new Start Experiences App logic takes effect.
- Update Status: Only systems with the updated app will benefit; older versions continue to use Edge by default.
- User’s Browser Choice: The system honors the application set as the default HTTP/HTTPS handler, provided DMA rules apply.
What This Means for the Future of Windows
Microsoft’s partially compelled embrace of browser neutrality marks a key inflection point in the Windows platform’s development. The move demonstrates both the power and limitation of regulation in shaping user experience and competition.Positive Predictions
- Expanded Choice as Norm: Should other countries adopt similar laws or regulatory frameworks, users worldwide might eventually see their browser preferences universally respected within Windows and beyond.
- Platform Openness: Early signs suggest Microsoft is carefully weighing the implications of DMA-like regulation. As more regions evaluate the competitive behaviors of tech giants, future versions of Windows could become more open by default—or at the very least, less coercively tied to Microsoft services.
Cautionary Outlook
- Regulation, Not Benevolence, Drives Change: For now, Microsoft’s approach sets a precedent that user-friendly features may only appear where governments force their hand. This reactive stance muddies the company’s reputation as a user-centric innovator.
- Continued Fragmentation: The bifurcation between regions could persist, or even widen, as local lawmakers press different priorities and timelines.
SEO and Takeaway: Windows 11 Browser Change Limited to Europe
For those searching for answers about “how to open widget links in Chrome on Windows 11” or “how to avoid Edge browser in Windows 11 widgets,” this new update offers hope—but only if you’re in Europe. US users and others must continue using workaround tools or endure Edge opening for system-level links.Whether this shift marks the beginning of a broader, global consumer-rights movement in operating systems or simply another compliance footnote in Microsoft’s regulatory history depends on industry trends and political will in other regions. For now, Windows 11’s most user-empowering browser behavior remains, perhaps frustratingly, only for Europeans.
Concluding Thoughts
Microsoft’s selective browser flexibility on Windows 11 is a dual-edged sword. For European users, it brings long-awaited, regulation-driven relief—a reminder that persistent government action can effect real change in the consumer tech landscape. For everyone else, it’s a marker of both how far we’ve come and how much ground remains to cover in the quest for true digital choice.Until similar regulatory heat is applied elsewhere, there is little indication that US or global users will see the same freedom. For now, the best strategy for non-Europeans remains advocacy, engagement, and, where possible, pressure on lawmakers to follow the European example.
As the digital market continues to evolve and the lines between regional policy and global technology blur, this episode will serve as a fascinating case study in the delicate balance between innovation, competition, and user rights within the world’s most widely used desktop operating system.
Source: TweakTown Windows 11 gets to dodge Edge in Europe (again), but don't hold your breath for this in the US
