Windows 11 Browser Choice

Which web browser used in Microsoft Windows has caused discussion for the longest time. With the birth of Windows, we all naturally used the software that was installed or available. For Internet access that was the MS Internet Explorer, or IE in short. There was no browser choice.

With later versions of Windows things changed, more software became available, including Internet browsers. These days Chrome is the most used browser, but there is also Safari, FireFox, and Edge. Of course there are many more smaller players, but Google, Apple, Mozilla and Microsoft are the main players.

Browser Choice – Changing the default browser

Installing another Internet browser in Windows is easy. Just download the installer and run it. Using it is also easy, start the browser application and navigate to the website you want to visit.

Changing the default browser in Windows was also relatively easy… until Windows 11. Changing the default browser ensures that all Internet (or opening of Internet related media) is done using the selected browser.

In Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10, changing the default browser was a single settings change. In Windows 11 however, Microsoft changed that and now it takes multiple changes in the Settings to change the default browser. All to try and keep users using their Edge browser.

In Windows 11 you need to open the Settings, select Apps, then Default Apps, and then select the browser in the list.

Now you need to select each file/content type and change the default application for it. There is no single configuration change to set the default app for all Internet content!

Doing this for all file/content types is very cumbersome!

A change seems to be coming

Based on recent developments, it does seem that Microsoft is changing its approach to browser selection in Windows 11. A recent (March 28, 2022) release in the Windows 11 insider program showed the option to use a Set Default button again. The button will show between the Apps > Default Apps > Google Chrome line and the list of file/content types.

It is expected that this update will be included in the April 12 update for Windows 11. Great news!

Of course the current method of changing the browser in Windows 11 will remain. This is even required, because the new Set Default button will not change all associations. Some will still need to be changed individually. Can’t wait? Download the update separately: KB5011563.

Say goodbye to IE

Yes, it is (almost) time to say goodbye to Internet Explorer. Microsoft has included support for Internet Explorer compatibility by adding an IE Mode to Microsoft Edge. That allows users to access and run applications that are only compatible with IE.

As a result, Internet Explorer will no longer be supported on the mainstream versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. In 2011, Microsoft already ended the Office 365 support for IE. Later this year (June 15, 2022), the Internet Explorer will be no longer supported on Windows 10. For details you can see the FAQ on the Microsoft website.

The IE Mode in Microsoft Edge will be supported till at least 2029. Configuring IE Mode is done using policies.