Microsoft is introducing greater user control in the European Economic Area (EEA) through new Windows features that comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The company had already provided users with the ability to remove Microsoft Edge and Bing search from the system, but new updates now take it even further, offering users greater autonomy over their use of Windows 10 and 11.
Microsoft Windows Compliance With the DMA
Microsoft Gives EU Users More Control: Uninstall Edge, Store, and
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Following increasing pressure from EU regulators, Microsoft unveiled several significant changes for Windows users within the EEA, which comprises all EU states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The updates took effect from May 29, 2025, with Edge version 137.0.3296.52, and additional patches are rolling out in early June.
The major updates, according to Microsoft’s latest blog, include the uninstallation of the Microsoft Store. This means users can now uninstall the Microsoft Store for the first time. Installed apps will still receive updates even without it, and the Store can be reinstated at any time.
Apart from that, you can be worry-free now with Microsoft Edge nag prompts. Windows will no longer prompt users to make Edge the default browser unless they manually launch it. This tweak serves to minimize intrusive pop-ups and prompts.
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Default Browser Upgrades and Freedom of Choice
One of the best-featured changes is the increased default browser settings. Before, changing the browser only applied to general file types, such as .html or protocols such as https. Now, users will enjoy the same freedom given to other file types, such as ftp, .svg, and “read” protocol links.
Also, when you install a new browser, regardless of whether it’s Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or another one, it will automatically pin itself to the taskbar, unless you choose not to. The updates are already in beta testing and will be rolled out in full in July 2025 for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Third-Party Search Integration in Windows Search
There’s one more win to consider, according to The Verge: third-party applications can now inject web results into Windows Search. After installation, apps can bring their own search capabilities, and users can even move their search providers around or prioritize them.
Widgets, Lock Screen, and Bing App Use Default Browser
In another user-first step, Microsoft has assured that web content in the Widgets Board, Lock Screen, and even the Bing app will now open in the user’s default browser, not Edge. This tiny but important tweak means users aren’t being forced to view Microsoft services when they look at news, weather, or other updates.
Microsoft Prioritizing Transparency and User Choice
These changes are part of a bigger industry shift in which large tech is being compelled to comply with digital market regulations and restore control to the users. While American users may continue to be saddled with Edge and Bing-dominant defaults, Microsoft’s EEA compliance shows that genuine customization can and perhaps soon will happen elsewhere in the world as well.
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