By, uav-jp 19/09/2022

Microsoft, further measures to encourage the use of "Edge" browser on "Windows 11"? -CNET Japan

　Microsoft has added several new methods in "Windows 11" so that more users can use the "Microsoft Edge" browser. In August, we changed how you set your default browser and added a new step that requires you to manually change multiple settings if you want to switch away from Edge. And it looks like the company recently took another step. It allegedly locked down a protocol for Edge that allowed users to redirect programs to other web browsers.

　If you want to know more about the changes in this protocol, I recommend reading the post on ghacks.net. In short, Microsoft appears to have blocked tools like EdgeDeflector that made it easier to use non-Edge browsers.

　There is a section in the blog post about the release of test builds for the Dev channel of Windows 11 that seems to mention this latest change. "Fixed an issue where OS functions could be improperly redirected when 'microsoft-edge:link' was called."

　I asked the company if they intended to make switching to a browser other than Edge on Windows 11 as complicated as possible. A spokesperson replied:

Microsoft, in

　"Windows clearly enables applications and services, including various web browsers, on its platform. The search experience from the taskbar is also an example of an end-to-end experience that is not meant to be redirected, so we will issue a fix if we become aware of any inappropriate redirects."

　As pointed out by the author and other Microsoft watchers, the company not only has browser share, but also the mind share of "Bing" and "MSN News" (now known as "Microsoft Start"). and wants to expand its market share. The browser is probably the most used application on Windows, and probably on all operating systems. By asking users to log in, it could lead the company to try to boost Bing, its other services, including the universal Microsoft search service, and eventually its own advertising platform.

This article is an article from overseas Red Ventures edited by Asahi Interactive for Japan.