The topic of the free choice of browser in Windows 10 and 11 is currently making the rounds in the media. We would also like to take a clear stand here.
From our point of view, it is important that operating systems allow users to use the software they want when choosing a browser.
The official statement of Microsoft explaining their choice to prevent users from fully making other browsers the default other than Microsoft Edge:
“Windows openly enables applications and services on its platform, including various web browsers” and “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.”
This overall “experience” just means that when searching or clicking on widgets in Windows 11 will still use Microsoft Edge, even if other Browser like Chrome or Firefox would provide a similar experience. We do understand that Microsoft would like users to use their own browser in favor of other browsers, but we see that the right of users to choose their browser is heavily more important than having a “consistent experience”.
So we would like to call on Microsoft to revert this anti competitive behavior and enable a seamless experience enabling other browser applications in Windows 10 and 11 for their 1.5 billion users.
