Microsoft again changed its system to replace the default browser. From what was previously quite easy in Windows 10, to complicated in Windows 11.
Although Microsoft has made many good changes to the Windows 11 interface, browser makers such as Mozilla, Opera, and Vivaldi have complained about the change in the way the default browser is replaced in Windows 11.
This change is not very noticeable at first, because it is still similar to the default browser setting steps in Windows 10. When a user installs a new browser other than Microsoft Edge, a browser selection option will appear when the user opens a link.
In this option, the user can check the 'Always use this app' option to set the browser of choice as the default. So far, the method is still the same as in Windows 10. But if the user forgets to mark the option, then the next step will be much more complicated.
Users of a browser that is not used as the default browser in Windows 11 will usually bring up the option to set the browser to be the default. This option will open the application selection menu to be the default application, including the browser.
Well, it's in the menu that the settings become very complicated. If previously users only needed to select a browser to be the default browser, now users have to specify a default browser for each file type.
In the case of the Chrome browser, the file options are HTM, HTML, PDF, SHTML, SVG, WEBP, XHT, XHTML, FTP, HTTP, and HTTPS.
This process is very long compared to the process in Windows 10 which is very simple, where users only need to specify the default application for the whole, not per file extension.
"We've been raising concerns about trends in Windows. Since Windows 10, users have had to take additional unnecessary steps to define default browser settings," said Selena Deckelmann, Firefox senior vice president.
"This barrier will at least confuse users and is designed to underestimate the non-Microsoft browser of choice for users," he added.
There is also Opera who also doesn't like this Microsoft move, and says this step is done to increase users of Microsoft's browser.
"It is unfortunate when platform makers obscure common use cases to enhance the reputation of their own products," said Krystian Kolondra, head of Opera browsers in a statement.
"We want to invite platform makers to respect user choices and allow competition on their platforms. Banning user choice is a step back," he added.
Even the boss of Android, Chrome, and Chrome OS Hiroshi Lockheimer also commented and also half-quipped Microsoft's move. According to him, this is ironic because Microsoft claims to be the most open company.
"This comes from a company that claims to be the most open, with the 'most choice'," Lockheimer said.
"Hopefully this is only in the developer preview, and the full version of Windows 11 can live up to their claims," he concluded.
This from the company that claims to be the most open, with "the most choice." I hope this is just a developer preview thing, and the shipping version of Windows 11 lives up to their claims. This is far from "choice." https://t.co/vkGQAoHZgE
— Hiroshi Lockheimer (@lockheimer) August 18, 2021