Microsoft Windows Users in Europe Can Now Uninstall Microsoft Store, Disable Microsoft Edge Default Prompts

Microsoft has introduced that it’s introducing modifications on Windows 10 and Windows 11 in order to adjust to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) will profit from the newest replace, which lets customers choose out of receiving prompts to modify to Microsoft Edge. Users can even be capable of “uninstall” the Microsoft Store app, whereas receiving updates for apps which are already put in on their system. The firm beforehand eliminated Bing from search outcomes on Windows, in order to adjust to EU rules.

Microsoft Lets Windows Users Set Browser as Default App for More File Types

The firm’s weblog submit reveals that beta testers in the EEA can now set a third-party browser to be the default app for dealing with ftp and browse hyperlinks, in addition to http and https. Similarly, customers will now be capable of set defaults for these file varieties: .htm, .html, .mht, .mhtml, .shtml, .svg, .xht, .xhtml, and .xml. 

Uninstalling the Microsoft Store (left) and third-party search suppliers
Photo Credit: Microsoft

When customers set a default browser app in the EU, it should additionally pin the app’s icon to the taskbar. Browsers will also be set to be the default app for PDF recordsdata. These modifications are already stay on the beta channel (Build 26120.4151) and can roll out to retail customers in the EEA in July.

Microsoft Edge will not ask (or nag) customers in Europe to set it as their default browser, except they open the app. Users who uninstall the browser will not be prompted to reinstall it, except they’ve put in third-party progressive net apps (PWAs) from the Microsoft Store.

While the corporate beforehand eliminated Bing from Windows search outcomes, it now permits third get together apps to supply net search outcomes on its working system. Starting this month, customers in the EEA will see outcomes from varied engines like google with choices to disable or reorder search suppliers.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 customers can now uninstall the Microsoft Store from the Start Menu and the Settings app. Like the opposite modifications launched by Microsoft, this solely applies to customers who stay in Europe. The firm says that present apps will proceed to obtain updates, even when the shop is uninstalled. Users will be capable of obtain and reinstall the Microsoft Store, in keeping with the corporate.

These modifications will supply customers in Europe extra selection, particularly when setting a default browser or utilizing the Windows search function. Unfortunately, these updates are solely obtainable in the EEA, which signifies that customers in different international locations like India and the US can be caught with the extra restrictive variations of Microsoft’s working system.