Experts Worry Microsoft Forcing Edge on Us Is Just the Beginning GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Opinion News > Internet & Security 33 33 people found this article helpful

Experts Worry Microsoft Forcing Edge on Us Is Just the Beginning

It's not the first time Microsoft has played this game

By Joshua Hawkins Joshua Hawkins Freelance Technology Reporter Full Sail University Josh Hawkins is a freelance writer for Lifewire who loves writing about the latest tech and gadgets that help make people’s lives easier. As an avid gamer and VR enthusiast, he also enjoys diving deep into the technology that helps bring those kinds of experiences to life. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 16, 2022 10:13AM EDT Fact checked by Jerri Ledford Fact checked by Jerri Ledford Western Kentucky University Gulf Coast Community College Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Internet & Security Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming

Key Takeaways

In Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft made it so weather apps and other widgets will open pages in its Edge browser instead of your default browser.Developers like Daniel Aleksandersen, and some browsers like Brave and Firefox, used workarounds to make those links open in your chosen browser.Microsoft is now forcing people to use Edge if they open a link from any of its widgets and searches. Experts are worried it won’t stop there.
Windows / Unsplash Microsoft is issuing an update for Windows that will block third-party apps and browsers from intercepting links it created to open in Edge. Experts say the move doesn't respect our browser choice and are worried about other changes Microsoft could make in the future. Microsoft first began its push back against third-party browsers with the release of Windows 10, where it made it more difficult to set up a new default browser by hiding it behind multiple steps. Experts are now concerned a move to block third-party apps from intercepting links that force Microsoft Edge to open could lead to further app restrictions in the future. "You have to ask yourself, 'when does it stop?'" Michael Partridge, an experienced web developer with designdough, told Lifewire in an email. "Is the next step forcing Bing over Google?"

Why It Matters

Forcing consumers to use a specific browser might seem like a silly concern, but in a world where big tech is constantly vying for any foothold on the market, the slope gets slippery very quickly. "At what point does a small change, which might not outwardly seem like a big deal, take a step too far?" Partridge asked. Since the introduction of Windows 10, Microsoft has made it more difficult to set default apps. When setting a new browser, you now have to set it as the default for multiple file extensions instead of the system automatically setting it. That's not a huge deal, but in Windows 11, Microsoft is forcing you to use Edge in many cases, including when searching from the Start Menu search bar. Lifewire / Joshua Hawkins Anytime you search for something on the web via the search box on your Start Menu, or anytime you select the results in your widgets, the operating system creates a Microsoft Edge link, which forces the browser to open. Previously, you could use apps like EdgeDeflector to bypass that and change the link into a standard HTTP link. Now, Microsoft is locking that out entirely. As EdgeDeflector creator Daniel Aleksandersen notes in a recent announcement, there's nothing special about these links. As such, there's no reason for Microsoft to force people to use Edge for them. Additionally, if you uninstall Edge completely, then click something that launches one of those links, it loads up a broken application, making those features completely useless. Microsoft told The Verge that the change was made to protect "end-to-end customer experiences," but Aleksandersen and others say it's just another way for the company to dictate how people use their computers.

History Repeating

This isn’t the first time Microsoft has skirted this particular line. In the early 2000s, it found itself in a similar position when a judge ruled that the company had unlawfully maintained a monopoly with Windows by tying Internet Explorer into the OS. The initial consequences of that ruling changed a bit after it was passed, but when the dust settled, Microsoft was told to make the operating system interoperable with non-Microsoft software. That decree was settled on for five years, but it was extended twice, finally expiring in May 2011. Lifewire / Joshua Hawkins Many believe the outcome of that case had a significant impact on the current landscape of the technological world. While it started as a browser war, it became much bigger before all was said and done. Now, though, experts are concerned Microsoft could be testing the waters again, trying to push its way back into the spotlight by finding ways to force users to use its applications, like Edge. "People deserve choice," a Mozilla spokesperson told Lifewire when asked about the changes. "They should have the ability to simply and easily set defaults, and their choice of default browser should be respected." Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Install and Use Microsoft Edge for Android How to Turn on Incognito Mode in Your Browser What Is Microsoft Internet Explorer? How to Fix It When Microsoft Edge Is Not Working How to Make IE11 the Default Browser in Windows How to Change the Default Browser in Windows Windows 11: News, Release Date, and Specs How to Use ActiveX Filtering in Internet Explorer 11 How to Open Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 10 How to Turn off Incognito Mode When Is Internet Explorer End of Life? How to Change the Default Browser in Thunderbird Microsoft Edge vs. Google Chrome Which Browser Should I Use for Watching Movies? List of Windows Version Numbers How to Uninstall or Remove Internet Explorer Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies