Microsoft will stop pestering Windows users about Edge in EU

Plus, Europeans will find it easier to sideline Bing and uninstall the Windows Store

Microsoft has announced more tweaks to Windows in a bid to stay on the right side of Europe's Digital Markets Act, including a promise that Edge will only nag users to become their default browser if they open it first.

The software giant in 2023 was designated as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA, a European competition law, and consequently must modify designated core platform services to accommodate competitors in the European Economic Area (EEA).

The European Commission decision [PDF] on Microsoft initially covered the Windows operating system, Bing Search, the Edge browser, Microsoft Advertising, Outlook, and LinkedIn.

But it was subsequently amended to cover only Windows and LinkedIn.

Microsoft in March 2024 said it had made a series of changes for users in Europe to comply with the DMA, such as allowing Edge and Bing to be uninstalled, allowing third-party web apps on the Windows taskbar, and altering sign-on practices so users weren't automatically signed in to Bing and Edge.

Redmond's latest product behavior modification, detailed in a Tuesday blog post, follows sustained complaints from rival browser makers and others about the need for further concessions.

In addition to easing up on pushing Edge where it isn't wanted, the "Set Default" button accessed via Settings > Apps > Default apps will apply to a broader set of file types in the EEA, including .xhtml and .pdf, meaning the user's designated browser will be used in more cases, instead of Microsoft-set default apps.

Some of the default browser changes have already been made available via the Beta Channel in Build 26120.4151, and the rollout is expected to reach Windows 10 and 11 retail customers in July.

In addition, Windows Search currently relies on Bing Web Search to return web content and search results. EEA users can now install apps that specify an alternative web search provider for Windows Search. This capability is available on Windows Insider builds and should reach retail builds of Windows 10 and 11 later this month.

Finally, later this year, EEA users of Windows 10 and 11 will be able to uninstall (and reinstall) the Microsoft Store.

Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO of browser maker Vivaldi, welcomed Microsoft's latest changes in a social media post.

"Regulation works," he wrote. "You can thank the [European Commission] for some important Windows changes, where Edge will nag you less. I wish these were worldwide.

"Still needs to be easier for users to set their preferred default browser. It used to be that the browser could ask you and if you allowed it, it would be set as default. It seems like you still have to go into the settings to change this." ®