Microsoft has not stopped forcing Edge on Windows 11 users (ctrl.blog)

Article summary

Microsoft recently announced that Windows system components would start respecting the default web browser setting, but testing of the new Windows Insider version reveals no changes. The new version still forces links to open in Microsoft Edge and aggressively prompts users to reset their default browser. The author, who developed a program to circumvent this behavior, found no differences in the new version. This contradicts reports that Microsoft had finally caved to regulatory pressure from the European Union.

Main themes

• Microsoft Edge promotion
• Windows ads and prompts
• Linux as an alternative
• Custom Windows ISOs
• Gaming on Linux
• Enshitification and monetization
• Security vs performance tradeoffs

What commenters say

• Some users are frustrated with Microsoft's aggressive promotion of its Edge browser and the numerous ads and prompts in Windows.
• Others argue that the Linux desktop is a viable alternative to Windows, with some distributions being more user-friendly and private.
• A few commenters mention that custom Windows ISOs, such as ReviOS, can provide a more streamlined and private Windows experience, but others warn about potential security risks and EULA violations.
• There is disagreement about the usability of Linux for gaming, with some commenters reporting a seamless experience and others citing ongoing issues with compatibility and performance.
• Some users believe that Microsoft's priority is to increase profits through ads and promotions, rather than to provide a user-friendly experience.
• Others think that the company's actions are a result of a broader trend of 'enshitification' in the tech industry, where companies prioritize monetization over user experience.
• A few commenters note that disabling security features, such as Spectre and Meltdown mitigations, can improve performance but also increase security risks.