Microsoft is implementing a brand new wave of updates to Home windows 10, Home windows 11, and several other built-in purposes as a part of its efforts to adjust to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Whereas a few of these updates have already rolled out by way of beta channels and Home windows Insider builds, broader availabid lity for retail variations throughout Europe will proceed all year long.
A latest weblog put up written by the Home windows Insider Program Group reads, partly: “As a part of Microsoft’s ongoing dedication to compliance with the Digital Markets Act, we’re making the next modifications to Home windows 10, Home windows 11, and Microsoft apps within the European Financial Space (EEA).”
New default browser file associations
One of many key updates, featured in Home windows 11 Insider Preview Construct 26120.4151, expands the vary of file and hyperlink sorts related to a person’s chosen defaulted browser. Beforehand, restricted to http, https, .htm, and .html, the “Set default” operate now additionally consists of:
- Hyperlinks: ftp, learn
- Recordsdata: .mht, .mhtml, .shtml, .svg, .xht, .xhtml, .xml
Moreover, when a person units a brand new default browser, Home windows will immediate to pin that browser to the Taskbar until the person opts out. There’s additionally a brand new choice to designate a most popular browser for opening .pdf recordsdata.
Integrating internet search outcomes with Home windows Search
Apps working inside the European Financial Space (EEA) are already able to delivering internet search outcomes by means of the Home windows Search function; nonetheless, Microsoft’s newest updates introduce enhancements that may assist them keep away from claims of anticompetitive practices sooner or later. These enhancements embrace the flexibility to point out outcomes from a number of engines like google concurrently and the flexibility to kind your search outcomes based on your most popular engines like google.
Uninstalling the Microsoft Retailer
EEA customers will now have the flexibility to uninstall the Microsoft Retailer. Any Microsoft apps which have already been downloaded will proceed to obtain updates even when the Microsoft Retailer is uninstalled. The Microsoft Retailer could be reinstalled at any time.
Miscellaneous updates to Microsoft apps
Different app-level modifications have an effect on how internet content material is dealt with by Bing, Edge, and the Begin Experiences app. These embrace:
- Microsoft Bing now opens web-based content material utilizing the browser chosen as default by the person.
- Microsoft Edge will not immediate customers to set it because the default browser until it’s manually launched. Moreover, eradicating Edge won’t set off reinstall ideas from different Microsoft apps.
- Begin Experiences follows Bing’s lead in defaulting to the person’s most popular browser when launching web-based materials.
These options are at present in testing however are anticipated to roll out broadly to EEA customers as soon as finalized.
Sustaining compliance with rules around the globe
These modifications are Microsoft’s method of staying on high of evolving legal guidelines and rules, significantly these relating to anticompetitive practices. Whereas these updates are particular to these inside the EEA, customers in different markets can anticipate to obtain localized updates as Microsoft continues to adjust to new and rising requirements around the globe.
