Microsoft has started blocking the popular third-party app EdgeDeflector on Windows 11. The app helps users open links on browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. With the new move, Microsoft will now force Windows 11 users to open URLs from the Start menu and Widgets panel search results only on the Edge browser. Microsoft’s decision was made known through a statement by the company’s spokesperson. He said; “Windows openly enables applications and services on its platform, including multiple web browsers”.
The spokesman added that; “At the same time, Windows also offers certain end-to-end customer experiences in Windows 10 and Windows 11, the taskbar search experience is an example of an end-to-end experience that wasn’t designed to be redirected. When we become aware of an inappropriate redirect, we issue a correction. ”
Microsoft has planned 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.
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 added that Microsoft isn’t a good steward of the Windows operating system and that they are only prioritizing ads, bundleware, and service subscriptions over their users’ productivity.
Microsoft is trying to update Windows 11 and third-party workarounds for other browsers will not work after the update.
Firefox also spoke out about Microsoft’s decision. “People deserve choice. They should have the ability to and easily set defaults, and their choice of default browser should be respected.”
Firefox added that; “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.”
It is not news that Microsoft is trying to block the use of third-party browsers, but it doesn’t give specifications on the improvement in which Edge will bring as against the third-party browsers.