Microsoft Ends Edge Promotion Nagging for European Windows Users

Microsoft has announced significant changes to how it promotes its Edge browser and Bing search engine on Windows devices within the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. These adjustments come as a direct response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulatory framework designed to ensure fair competition and user choice in digital markets.

Previously, Microsoft aggressively nudged Windows users to adopt Edge and Bing, often through persistent prompts and default settings that were difficult to change. Now, with the DMA’s influence, users in the EEA can uninstall the Microsoft Store app entirely and avoid repeated prompts to set Edge as their default browser unless they actively choose to open it.

Moreover, when users select a different browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Brave as their default, the system will automatically pin that browser to the taskbar for easy access. The scope of default browser file associations has also expanded beyond common types like https and .html to include additional formats such as read, ftp, and .svg files. These enhancements are currently live for some beta users and are expected to roll out broadly on Windows 10 and 11 by July.

Interestingly, even after uninstalling the Microsoft Store app, users will still receive updates for apps installed via the Store, and the Store can be reinstalled at any time. This reflects Microsoft’s effort to balance regulatory compliance with maintaining a functional app ecosystem.

Additional changes include enabling third-party apps to add their web search results directly into Windows Search upon installation and allowing users to reorder search providers based on preference. Starting in early June, the Microsoft Bing app, Widgets Board, and Lock Screen will open web content using the user’s default browser instead of Edge.

Why This Matters

Microsoft’s changes highlight the growing influence of regulatory frameworks like the DMA in shaping how major tech companies interact with users and competitors. By reducing the friction for users to choose alternative browsers and search engines, Microsoft is aligning with a broader push for digital market fairness and user autonomy.

For developers and businesses, this means a more level playing field and potentially new opportunities to reach users through Windows platforms without being overshadowed by default Microsoft services. For users, it means less nagging and more control over their computing environment.

While these changes currently apply only within the EEA, they set a precedent that could inspire similar regulatory actions or voluntary changes in other regions, including the United States, where users have long wished for less intrusive default app promotion.