Windows 10: Microsoft blocks other browsers from opening Edge links

When Microsoft launched Windows 10, one of the things that the company did introduce was the classic version of Edge. Edge would replace the aging Internet Explorer browser along the way.

To give Edge a boost, Microsoft decided to invent the microsoft-edge:// protocol and started to use it in some internal applications. The protocol was designed to open links only in Edge.


via https://www.ctrl.blog/entry/microsoft-edge-protocol-competition.html

Edge would then display the content and, at the same time, prompt the user to make it the default.

In Windows 11, Microsoft introduced the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge web browser. Just like its classic version, it is pushed through exclusive use of the microsoft-edge:// protocol. The new News and Interests widget in Windows 10 and the Widgets app in Windows 11 use the microsoft-edge protocol exclusively, even though they display standard web content and links.

To make things even less user friendly, Microsoft changed the way the default browser is set. On Windows 10, users could set a different browser as the default, and it would open all links that browsers can open, with the exception of locked microsoft-edge protocol links.

In Windows 11, Microsoft removed that straightforward option. All that is left for users is to set each protocol individually. If you want to switch completely from Edge to Firefox, Brave or Vivaldi, you have to set HTTP, HTTPS, HTML, PDF, WebP, SHTML, FTP, HTM, Mailto, News and others, manually to the desired browser.

See Ashwin's guide on changing default programs on Windows 11 for detailed instructions.

All of these changes have a simple goal: to increase the usage share of Microsoft's Edge web browser. There is no technical reason for using the internal protocol.

Programs like Edge Deflector or Search Deflector were created to unlock the microsoft-edge:// protocol for other browsers. Using it, Windows 10 and 11 users can set a different browser as the handler and it will be opened.

Behind the scene, Edge Deflector sets itself as the default handler for Microsoft Edge's protocol, and it redirects the request then to the browser of choice.

Browser makers Brave and Firefox started to implement similar functionality to improve the process of making them the default handler on Windows 10 and 11.

The developer of Edge Deflector noticed this week that Microsoft made changes to the latest Windows 11 build that prevents EdgeDeflector, and any other program for the matter, to set itself as the default handler for the microsoft-edge:// protocol.

Something changed between Windows 11 builds 22483 and 22494 (both Windows Insider Preview builds.) The build changelog makes a few mentions of changes to the protocol and file associations/default apps system. However, it omitted the headline news: You can no longer bypass Microsoft Edge using apps like EdgeDeflector.
​

EdgeDeflector won't be updated anymore according to the developer. While he suggests that there are ways to overcome the limitation, they would "require making destructive changes to Windows".

Closing Words

It is clear that Microsoft won't reverse its position on the change without outside pressure. Users of Windows 11 are blocked from making changes that they want to make. The only viable option at this point, other than not installing the operating system in first place, is to ignore programs and apps that use the internal protocol.

Now You: what is your take on this development?

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Microsoft is developing a built-in ad blocker for its Edge browser

"One of the first browser add-ons many people install to improve their online experience is Adblock Plus or something similar. Until recently, Microsoft Edge's lack of support for add-ons put off a lot of would-be users, but reports from Build 2016 suggest that native ad blocking is on its way to the Internet Explorer successor.

Adblock Plus is coming to Edge, but built-in ad blocking would negate the need for such an add-on. A slide shown off and snapped at a Build presentation shows that the next version of Edge, in response to user feedback, will feature ad blocking capabilities. There's no word on delivery timescale, but the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update would seem a likely candidate.

ZDNet's Ed Bott photographed the slide which shows Microsoft's development roadmap built around feedback from testers. Right at the top of the list is reference to plans to create a plugin and extension store for Edge, but it's entry number four that's more intriguing.

"Build ad blocking features into the browser" is listed as a Feature Request from users. But the good news is that it is not only listed as being "Deliverable 4682811", but as "Targeted for the next version".

This will no doubt come as good news for those who have fallen in love with Edge, but it's not something that will be welcomed by the likes of Adblock Plus. It does seem that, particularly in the mobile arena, there is a move to baking ad blocking into the browser so it makes sense that Microsoft is following the trend. But it is the fact that Edge straddles Windows 10 on the desktop and Windows 10 Mobile that makes this a particularly interesting move.

Keep an eye out for Insider builds in the coming weeks as the feature may be just around the corner."

Forget extensions, built-in ad blocking is coming to Microsoft Edge - [UPDATE... no it's not!]

 

Can't open Outlook links in Edge

Hi,

In order for us to assist you better, kindly answer the questions below:

• Dose this problem occur on a particular website or all the links you try to open from Outlook?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done?

In the meantime, we suggest that you reset Microsoft Edge. Kindly refer to the steps below:

• Open Microsoft Edge.
• Click on More options […].
• Click on Settings.
• Click on ‘Choose what to clear’.
• Select all of them and click on Clear all.

We look forward for your reply.

 

Microsoft Edge..

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft community.

I suggest you to follow the below steps if you are using Microsoft edge in MSN home page for changing your current location and check if it helps.

• Open edge browser login to msn.com.
• Then on the right hand side, click on gear icon.
• Go to settings, then under “market and language” and “home location” option change your current location and check whether it shows correct.

If you are using bing.com through edge browser then I suggest you to follow the below steps and check.

• Open edge browser login to bing.com.
• Then on the right hand side, click on gear icon.
• Go to “region” option and click on “change your region” link.
• Then select your country it will take your location.

Hope this information was helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.