Rival browsers are frustrated with Microsoft's default browser options on Windows 11

pcgamer.com:

Microsoft recently moved to allow users to once again change their default browser with a single click on Windows 11. Available as an optional download, once installed users are able to switch easily between their browsers—functionality that was available on Windows 10 but missing on Windows 11. However, some browser rivals of Microsoft are not yet satisfied with the change.

Prior to this (optional) update, users were required to set their browser of choice for every file-type that might be used, such as HTTP, HTTPS, .HTML, etc. Many argued that by making the process so specific and long-winded, it would cause fewer users to switch to any other browser than Microsoft's own Edge, which is the default on the OS.

Now Microsoft is offering a simpler switch, but as a cumulative update most users will have to update to it themselves. To do so, just check your Windows Update tab in Settings for '2022-03 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 for x64-based Systems (KB5011563)'.

But browser rivals aren't too happy about how this has all gone down. Both Vivaldi and Firefox have raised concerns with The Register(opens in new tab) regarding the change.

«This should apply to all users, not just the ones who are technically competent enough to realise that they need to install an optional update, and know how to actually do so. It should be installed for all users,» Vivaldi's Jon von Tetzchner says.

«While they have made an attempt, the fact that it has been done the way it has leads to the assumption that it is only being done to avoid being prosecuted for anticompetitive behaviour, not to actually solve the underlying problem.»

Vivaldi even goes one further to say that «They [Microsoft] continue to try to make it harder to switch to and