Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Earlier this month, Microsoft rolled out an optional cumulative update for Windows 11 that made it easier to change the default browser on PCs. Previously, users had to manually change the default setting for each file and link type, which could take dozens of steps. Following the recent Windows 11 update, users can set their preferences for multiple links and file types with a single click.

Mozilla, the creator of the Firefox browser, said the move is a “step in the right direction” on Microsoft’s part, but more can be done to “respect the choice of default browser on Windows”. The company is calling for improvements for end users and developers when it comes to setting a default browser.

“People should have the ability to set defaults simply and easily, and all operating systems should offer official developer support for default status,” a Mozilla spokesperson said. “In practice, we’d also like to see progress on reducing the number of steps needed to set a new default browser, and opening up and making available APIs for apps to set the defaults used. by other Microsoft applications.”

I installed Firefox on a PC running the latest version of Windows 11 and set the default browser by following a prompt in Firefox. This replaced the PC’s default browser with Firefox for a number of file types and links, but not all. For example, AVIF, PDF and WEBP were still set to other applications. When I clicked to change the remaining file and link types to Firefox, I got a message chatting about Edge before I could confirm the change.

It is important to note that reversing the process and setting Edge as the default browser does not change the settings for the same link and file types. It seems that even setting your browser on Microsoft Edge does not change all of your defaults on Windows 11.