A hot potato: Microsoft’s decision to make it easier to switch from Edge to another browser in Windows 11 may have been welcomed by users, but competing browser companies say it doesn’t go far enough and should be made available to everyone, not just the most tech-savvy types.

One of the issues Windows 11 users encountered at launch was that Microsoft seemed to be up to its old tricks again when it came to forcing users to use the default Edge browser. Installing a new browser and opening a link gave a single chance to engage that browser with a checkbox, but missing it meant manually changing the default way to open multiple file types Internet-related, including .html, .htm, .mhtml, . pdf, and protocols like HTTP and HTTPS.

Microsoft received a lot of flak from consumers and web businesses during this process, and it eventually brought back the usual one-click method of changing the default browser, via an optional set of Windows Cumulative Updates. 11 (KB5011563).

But it seems the change hasn’t appeased rival browser makers. “This should apply to all users, not just those who are technically savvy enough to realize that they need to install an optional update, and know how to do it. It should be installed for all users” , said Vivaldi boss Jon von Tetzchner. Told The register.

“Although they made an attempt, the fact that it was done the way it was has led to speculation that it is only being done to avoid being sued for anti-competitive behavior, not to actually solve the problem. underlying.”

Tetzchner concluded with a vaguely threatening: “They [Microsoft] keep trying to make it harder to switch to other browsers and use them. We look forward to the EU following up on this malpractice.”

Mozilla, the creator of Firefox, was not impressed by the Redmond firm either. “People should have the ability to simply and easily set defaults, and all operating systems should offer official developer support for default status.”

“In practice, we’d also like to see progress on reducing the number of steps required to set a new default browser, and opening up and making available APIs for apps to set the defaults used. by other Microsoft applications.”

Source: StatCounter Global Stats – Browser Market Share

Despite all the criticism Microsoft has faced over its tactics in promoting Edge, it’s now the second most popular browser on desktop computers after knocking Safari out of second place last month with a 9 share. .5%. Research firm Statcounter has Firefox with a 7.5% slice of the pie, and Vivaldi doesn’t have enough users to make the chart.