Microsoft is going to make it much easier for users to change their default apps, adopting a “principled approach.”
Microsoft’s latest versions of Windows have disappointed and angered users by making it unnecessarily difficult to change the default web browser and other apps. In fact, when Windows 11 first dropped, changing the default browser required changing the default handler for each and every file type web browsers normally handle.
While Microsoft eventually changed its stance and made it easier to change the default web browser, the company is taking it a step further.
“Today we’re reaffirming our long-standing approach to put people in control of their Windows PC experience and to empower developers to take advantage of our open platform,” write Tali Roth & Aaron Grady.
“We want to ensure that people are in control of what gets pinned to their Desktop, their Start menu and their Taskbar as well as to be able to control their default applications such as their default browser through consistent, clear and trustworthy Windows provided system dialogs and settings.”
The company is adding a new option in the Settings app that will allow users to set their preferred apps.
“For defaults, we will soon introduce a new Settings deep link URI for applications to take their users directly to the appropriate location in Settings for the user to change their defaults,” Roth and Grady add. “This is an extension to our existing ms-settings: URI scheme. Learn more about ms-settings: URI schemes.”
It’s nice to see Microsoft listening to user feedback and making it easier for people to use the apps of their choice.