Microsoft is updating Windows 10, Windows 11, and the applications for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) as a response to the European Union’s DMA. The main aim of these adjustments is to support the DMA’s purposes, which are fairness among competitors and giving people more power over their online activities. The new features will first come in builds for Windows Insiders. Later, they will also come to retail builds in the summer of 2025.
Expanded Control Over Default Browsers
User control over the default web browser is a main area targeted by security professionals. Usually, selecting the “Set default” button for a link or file type in Windows only handles setting a limited group (including HTTP, https, .htm and .html). The EEA is now adding new functionality by accepting additional link types like FTP and file types, including .mht, .mhtml, .svg, .xhtml, and .xml, if the used browser supports them.
An important step for those using web browsers to read PDFs is the ability to set one as the main browser in order to open PDFs. When a browser is made default using the new technique, it will automatically appear on the taskbar. Also, users will have the option to uncheck this function. Microsoft gradually released these changes first on the Beta Channel test builds and plans to make them available to Windows 10 and 11 & pro users later this year, in July 2025.
Enhanced Windows Search Functionality
Windows Search is being improved in the EEA as well. As for the future, any app that joins the web search provider list will be able to show its results inside Windows Search. As there are several providers competing, the user can easily notice all of them on the same screen. It is easy for users to manage providers, switching to a different one at any time with the help of scoping tabs. It will be available by June to the general users.
Greater Flexibility Around the Microsoft Store
Microsoft is now making it possible for EEA users to uninstall the Microsoft Store which is a huge change from earlier. Removing the Store does not prevent apps downloaded through it from getting updates, which guarantees security and proper system performance. Also, if needed, users can get rid of the Store from Start or Settings and put it back later on. Because of this update, developers are able to keep using web-based solutions for installing apps.
Adjustments to Microsoft Apps
Many of Microsoft’s applications are now being adapted to meet the DMA standards. Now, if Bing or Start Experiences is used in the EEA, it will open links to websites in the browser the user has set as default. It makes browsing more uniform and puts positionless URLs at the user’s disposal.
Microsoft Edge will only advise people to make it their default browser if they use it directly, not when they are only in the system’s settings. Removing Edge won’t trigger Microsoft to ask users again to install the app, except for PWAs that are part of the Microsoft Store.
These improvements show that Microsoft is applying its regulatory processes and also emphasizing user flexibility in Europe.
