New Windows driver blocks software from changing default web browser
www.bleepingcomputer.com
Microsoft is now using a Windows driver to prevent users from changing the configured Windows 10 and Windows 11 default browser through software or by manually modifying the Registry.

windows-cool qin-shi-huangdi-fireball

Long story short: That pop-up you get when you open Firefox (or whatever other browser) for the first time asking you if you want to make it your default browser won't work anymore. They're forcing you to go through their convoluted control panel where you have to change it like 20 times for each file extension.

  • abc [he/him, comrade/them]
    ·
    3 months ago

    They're forcing you to go through their convoluted control panel where you have to change it like 20 times for each file extension.

    stop lying it is literally ONE CLICK lmao I hate windows too but damn y'all act like the OS isn't incredibly simple. Whether or not it prevents the browser from automatically doing so is neither here nor there - there's no need to lie about how the OS works dean-frown

    Show All I had to do is type "Default" in the Settings search bar:

    Show wow what's this single setting wow....20 file extensions later huh?

      • abc [he/him, comrade/them]
        ·
        3 months ago

        I don't know anyone but web developers who would have .htm or .html files that they're actively opening frequently but you realize that is one menu deeper than what I screenshotted and not exactly "20 individual settings" you have to change for your default browser?? Is the average user going to need to worry about .shtml files? But anyways I will be banned for Windows defense if I continue this so edgeworth-shrug

        • Zvyozdochka [she/her, comrade/them]
          ·
          3 months ago

          It's not just those files in Windows 11's case, it's things like shortcuts you have on your desktop, clicked links, and a bunch of other things which all get defaulted to Edge and you have to go in and change all of them.

        • blashork [she/her]M
          ·
          3 months ago

          User reports: Microsoft defense

          Oh, come one.

          I love and use linux just as much as the next communist, I've used as my daily driver for a decade. But we should be pointed, specific, and correct in our criticisms. The setting isn't that hard to change, most people are not going to be touching shtml links and the like. There is someone at google right now who is currently testing a new script to make sure they can still set everything to go through chrome.

          This person is not an m$ fanboy. @Zvyozdochka@hexbear.net we all hate microsoft but that's not a good reason to be inaccurate.

          If you want to stoke your m$ hate, this week at my work they added a copilot button to the start bar. It's one menu and one click to remove, but still annoying. Especially because we're not allowed to even use their stupid copilot shit legally.