Since its release in 2021, one of Microsoft’s most consistent critics has been . Compared to Windows 10, the new operating system makes it harder for users to move away from the company’s proprietary offerings. For example, if you don’t want Edge to open every time you click on a web page or PDF, you’re forced to launch the Windows 11 Settings menu and change the default app by type of file and link. It’s an unnecessarily long process that complicates customizing Windows 11.
Microsoft is finally responding to some of these criticisms. One Friday (via ), the company said it “reaffirms our longstanding approach to putting people in control of their Windows PC experience.” Microsoft has announced a feature it says will ensure Windows 11 users have control over changes to their apps’ default settings. Later this year, the company will introduce a new deep link Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) that will allow developers to direct users to the correct section of the Settings menu when they want to change how Windows 11 responds to links. and specific file types.
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Microsoft says it will also give users more control over apps pinned to their desktop, Start menu, and taskbar with a new public API that will display a prompt asking you to grant permission to programs before they do not appear on these interface elements. Both features will first roll out to PCs registered with the Windows Insider Dev Channel in the coming months before arriving in the public release of Windows 11. Add support for these features as they become available.
