Microsoft published a blog post on the Windows Insider Blog in with a vague statement saying that “Windows system components“ were to begin respecting the default web browser setting. Windows 10 and 11 regularly bypass this setting and force-open links in Microsoft Edge instead. In my extensive testing, I haven’t found any changes in the new Windows Insider version.
You may have read stories in the tech media celebrating that Windows will finally respect the default browser setting. This reporting seems to have been done completely without verification and based entirely on a misunderstanding. The source of the confusion is this one highlighted but vague entry in the changelog for a recent Windows 11 Insider preview build:
In the European Economic Area (EEA), Windows system components use the default browser to open links.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23531 (Dev Channel), Amanda Langowski Brandon LeBlanc
The highlight makes it sound like Microsoft has finally caved to regulatory pressure from the European Union (EU). The software powerhouse has abused the dominant market position of its Windows operating system to promote its Edge web browser and services for too long.
I’ve followed this developing story closely over the years. I even developed the popular open-source EdgeDeflector program that hijacked web links destined for Microsoft Edge and directed them back to your default web browser. Microsoft finally reacted and blocked EdgeDeflector from working once the Mozilla Firefox and Brave browsers began building the functionality into their web browsers.
Excitedly, I installed the new Windows Insider build and began testing the changes to see them in action. At first, I didn’t believe my findings. Nothing had changed from the c
