Microsoft makes it difficult to switch default browsers in Windows 11

Microsoft has changed how default apps are assigned in Windows 11, which means you now have to set defaults by file or link type instead of a single switch.

Microsoft’s new release of Windows 11 is making it difficult for users to switch default browsers. Windows which has been the epitome of choice in software features, is even ignoring browser defaults in new areas of the operating system. While Microsoft is making many positive changes to the Windows 11 UI, the default apps experience is a step back, and browser competitors like Mozilla, Opera, and Vivaldi have shown concerns.

In Windows 11, Microsoft has changed the way you set default apps. While a prompt appears for the first time when you install a browser, if you do forget to set your default browser at the first launch, the experience for switching defaults is very confusing.

Microsoft has changed the way default apps are assigned in Windows 11. This means you now have to set defaults by file or link type instead of a single switch. This also means changing the default file type for HTM, HTML, PDF, SHTML, SVG, WEBP, XHT, XHTML, FTP, HTTP, and HTTPS for the browser you wish to make default.

“We have been increasingly worried about the trend on Windows. Since Windows 10, users have had to take additional and unnecessary steps to set and retain their default browser settings. These barriers are confusing at best and seem designed to undermine a user’s choice for a non-Microsoft browser,” said Selena Deckelmann, senior vice president of Firefox. Apart from Mozilla, Opera, Vivaldi, and Chrome also gave statements showing concerns against this decision.