Microsoft makes it difficult to change browsers in Windows 11. It’s no longer done in a jiffy

Microsoft has changed the procedure for how users switch to standard browsers in the upcoming Windows 11, a change that appears to make it a little more difficult to switch from Microsoft’s Edge browser to competitors like Chrome, Firefox or Opera.

In Windows 11, it does not appear that it is possible to change the browser so that it applies to all file types and protocols that would normally be displayed in the browser. Instead, the user must specify that the browser change should apply to certain file types. This means that users must specify that they want to use Chrome instead of Edge, for example, when file types and protocols such as HTM, HTML, PDF, SHTML, SVG, WEBP, XHT, XHTML, FTP, HTTP and HTTPS are open, writes Edge . In the tweet embedded below, you can check out the Windows 11 settings for this look. In the tweet, Google’s Chrome chief also comments on the new action.

Microsoft itself says that the new procedure for changing the default browser in Windows 11 is due to the fact that it wants to give users more freedom of choice regarding what to use for each file type and protocol. A Microsoft spokesperson told The Verge:

“With Windows 11, we’re implementing customer feedback to customize and control default settings on a more granular level, eliminating app categories and bringing all apps to the forefront of the default experience. As evidenced by this change, we’re constantly listening and learning, and welcoming customer feedback that helps shape the Windows. Windows 11 will continue to evolve over time; if we learn from the user experience that there are ways to make improvements, we will.”

Windows 11 is currently only available in beta to Windows Insider Program users. In other words, there is a possibility that Microsoft will change the procedure for changing browsers in Windows 11 before the operating system is released to the public sometime at the end of the year.