Microsoft blocks workaround that let Windows 11 users avoid its Edge browser

Discussions of applications and operating systems and any problems, tips or suggestions. Win XP, 9x/2k, Linux, NT, photo editing, Virus/Spyware help
Post Reply
User avatar
Executioner
Life Member
Posts: 10133
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2000 11:34 am
Location: Woodland, CA USA

Microsoft blocks workaround that let Windows 11 users avoid its Edge browser

Post by Executioner »

Microsoft plans to update Windows 11 to block a workaround that has allowed users to open Start menu search results in a browser other than Edge. The loophole was popularized by EdgeDeflector, an app that allows you to bypass some of the built-in browser restrictions found in Windows 10 and 11. Before this week, companies like Mozilla and Brave had planned to implement similar workarounds to allow users to open Start menu results in their respective browsers, but now won't be able to do so.

When the block first appeared in an early preview build of Windows 11 last week, it looked like it was added by mistake. However, on Monday, the company confirmed it intentionally closed the loophole.

“Windows openly enables applications and services on its platform, including various web browsers,” a spokesperson for Microsoft told The Verge. “At the same time, Windows also offers certain end-to-end customer experiences in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, the search experience from the taskbar is one such example of an end-to-end experience that is not designed to be redirected. When we become aware of improper redirection, we issue a fix.”

Daniel Aleksandersen, the developer of EdgeDeflector, was quick to criticize the move. “These aren’t the actions of an attentive company that cares about its product anymore,” he said in a blog post. “Microsoft isn’t a good steward of the Windows operating system. They’re prioritizing ads, bundleware, and service subscriptions over their users’ productivity.”

Mozilla was similarly critical of Microsoft. “People deserve choice. They should have the ability to simply and easily set defaults and their choice of default browser should be respected,” a spokesperson for the company told The Verge. “We have worked on code that launches Firefox when the microsoft-edge protocol is used for those users that have already chosen Firefox as their default browser. Following the recent change to Windows 11, this planned implementation will no longer be possible.”

Other than the fact Microsoft should let Edge speak for itself, the company’s behavior here raises a question about its priorities. Windows 11 does not make it easy to switch your default browser. Someone shouldn’t have to go through the trouble of telling Windows they want to use a different browser only for the operating system to show them webpages in one they specifically decided they don’t want to use.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/micr ... 16494.html
User avatar
FlyingPenguin
Flightless Bird
Posts: 32773
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2000 11:13 am
Location: Central Florida
Contact:

Re: Microsoft blocks workaround that let Windows 11 users avoid its Edge browser

Post by FlyingPenguin »

This is VERY overblown. Almost FUD ("fear, uncertainty and doubt"). Microsoft are a-holes, but this is not that big a deal.

This only affects you if you click on web links in the Start Menu search or a Windows app like the news app, being opened in Edge by default. Android does the same thing. Open a link in the Google news app and it opens in Chrome instead of your default browser.

Yes, Microsoft is making it needlessly difficult to change your default browser in Win11 because now you have to choose defaults for each type of web page (HTTP, HTTPS, etc) and that's obviously to make it harder for non-techies to use a 3rd party browser.

But that's not what this is really about, and the press is making it sound like Win11 is intercepting links you click in your own browser, which it is not.

If you're like me, you use your browser for everything and ignore the start menu search and all the stupid windows apps. I open Firefox, and do a search or check the weather, and Win11 will in no way interfere with this.
"Turns out I’m 'woke.' All along, I thought I was just compassionate, kind, and good at history. "

Image
User avatar
FlyingPenguin
Flightless Bird
Posts: 32773
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2000 11:13 am
Location: Central Florida
Contact:

Re: Microsoft blocks workaround that let Windows 11 users avoid its Edge browser

Post by FlyingPenguin »

And I guess Microsoft occasionally listens to the complaints of the howling masses, because they've walked back on making the default browser a series of multiple steps:

Microsoft backtracks on Windows 11’s controversial default browser changes
https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/3/2281 ... on-changes
"Turns out I’m 'woke.' All along, I thought I was just compassionate, kind, and good at history. "

Image
Post Reply