The next Windows 11 controversy has seemingly arrived. Critics of Microsoft’s upcoming operating system, particularly those who aren’t fans of the company’s new Chromium-based browser, have begun complaining about how Windows 11 seems to intentionally make it harder for people to distance themselves from Microsoft Edge and set Chrome, Firefox, or another browser as the default choice instead.
The controversy stems from the way in which Windows 11 handles default apps. In the past, users who installed a new browser would be met with a default app prompt in Windows with the easy option of hitting a single check mark (“always use this app”) to make it the default choice for opening websites and related file types.
Microsoft has made changes in Windows 11 that makes this process a lot more complicated. Users who want to switch to a new browser in the upcoming OS will have to set their defaults for various files and link types one by one. That means instead of a single switch, HTM, HTML, PDF, SHTML, SVG, WEBP, XHT, XHTML, FTP, HTTP, and HTTPS all have to be set individually.
As indicated by screenshots shared by The Verge, Windows 11 also seems to introduce new nag screens. When users try to switch away from Microsoft Edge, they may see a pop-up urging them to give the “fast, secure, and built for Windows 11” Edge browser another chance before going with a competitor.
It’s an unnecessarily long process compared to Windows 10, which allows you to quickly and easily switch default email, maps, music, photos, videos, and web browser apps. I tested the latest versions of Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Vivaldi, and Brave, and only Firefox was able to set defaults without sending users to the default apps section of Windows 11. Either way, competitors aren’t impressed with Microsoft’s changes to Windows 11 here.
Source: The Verge