Windows 10 to force you to use Edge, even if it isn't default browser

The Register ^ | Mar 18, 2018 | Simon Sharwood

[dayglored]

Grab some popcorn: Redmond has asked for feedback

Microsoft’s about to test a new feature of Windows 10 that will force users to employ its Edge browser under some circumstances.

Revealed in the announcement of Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17623 for Skip Ahead, the change means “we will begin testing a change where links clicked on within the Windows Mail app will open in Microsoft Edge”.

Microsoft’s justification for the change is that Edge is the best, most secure browser on Windows 10.

But the change will reportedly override users’ preference for default browser.

While that’s naughty in lots of ways and makes Microsoft’s efforts to boost its browser’s market share pretty lame, this change won’t have a massive effect because Windows Mail isn’t a big deal. A firm named Litmus tracks email client use and in its analysis of the email market in 2017 found Outlook has six per cent of the email client market, Outlook.com has four per cent and Windows Live Mail had one per cent market share. Windows Mail didn't get a mention. That means it is behind even Yahoo! mail’s two per cent market share not in the same postcode as the 28 per cent share for the iPhone’s email client, 26 per cent for Gmail, and even the five per cent market share for Samsung’s mail client.

And of course the change also applies to a Preview, meaning there’s a decent chance this “feature” won’t ever make it into a proper version of Windows 10.

Microsoft’s post is also peppered with calls for feedback: The Register imagines few comments Redmond receives will be positive. ®

[ßuddaßudd]

in the past , I didnt have success using edge opening the oracle java app here at work ,
we shall see ..

[rarestia]

I don’t begrudge Microsoft’s efforts as long as they provide a way for tech-savvy consumers to remove the restrictions. I’m enjoying Windows 10 for the most part. I had to uninstall a ton of AppX packages to get it where I wanted it, but it’s faster and more stable than Windows 8.1, IMO.

Microsoft’s not beyond reproach. They’re moving everything to a XaaS (X as a Service) model, but then so is everyone else. If they want to force us to use their OS, they need to keep it useable, but more importantly, it MUST be safe. Microsoft’s been beat up pretty bad over the years for being the easiest platform to compromise, but over the last 5 years, that moniker is becoming fuzzy. Apple and Linux systems, esp. IoT devices, are becoming easier targets, and you can thank Microsoft’s no-nonsense security posture for that.

Unless and until Microsoft prohibits me from installing another browser, photo viewer, video player, media manager, etc., I’ll continue to advocate for them. As soon as they start locking down the OS to their products, I’ll go fully to Ubuntu Linux for day-to-day.

[DeFault User]

Do you remember pre-Internet? CompuServe? It was all numbers maybe with a hyphen thrown in. Been there, done that, can’t remember—as it says on my “Genuine Antique Person” t-shirt.

[Bikkuri]

I can’t remember the extensions... but, ya, I started BBSing (and FTPing) around 1980 (maybe between 1980-1984).

Third PC was the first one with DOS (first 2 had assembly/machine and Basic.. and the 1st one, I had to save onto a cassette recorder, along with a 300 Baud phone-cradle modem X^p ).

Never liked Winblows, but hated Apple more; wanted to stick with DOS, since very few could mess with my PC ;^)
I stick mainly with Linux KDE now.

[Bikkuri]

OH! ... How could I forget IRC (mIRC)!

:D

[DeFault User]

Yep, I was a C-64 man myself. You could do a lot with 64k. In the office we went for Xenix on a Tandy 6000 (basically a Unix machine). I had 10 terminals hanging on that thing, using spreadsheet, word processor and database programs on the server. The whole setup was about $10k, a lot cheaper than networking PCs, which were selling for about $3k apiece at the time.

[Bikkuri]

As far as I know, the C64 can still be useful in catching and reading packets sent and received (hack n crack).. :)
And the Amiga had the best gaming graphics and sound, back in the day ;~)

[redcatcherb412]

Yep, I was a C-64 man myself. You could do a lot with 64k

I still have one Vic-20 out in the garage. Used to build Ham Radio 2 meter repeater controller boards that plugged directly into the expansion port and burn controller software on a EEprom written in 6502 assembler. Was so easy those days.