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Microsoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page

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Re: Microsoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page

#42
post #36

This is a pretty sane move on MS's part... I find it reasonable that an OS doesn't let you remove what may be the only browser on the system, for a lot of reasons. I read this as a push to really ditch IE in the very near future, and don't really mind at all. In no particular order - Something has to provide a native webview for desktop applications - MS has no default package manager for users, and doesn't provide b…

> So removing the browser may leave a user unable to bootstrap another browser onto the system (at least once IE is actually gone) without outside help or another machine. Invoke-WebRequest 'https://download.mozilla.org/?product=firefox-latest-ssl&os=win64&lang=en-US' -OutFile firefox-latest.exe

> Invoke-WebRequest 'https://download.mozilla.org/?product=firefox-latest-ssl&os=... -OutFile firefox-latest.exe

A majority of Windows users can't be expected to do this. Think of the target demographic which uses Windows.

Re: Microsoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page

#43
post #36

This is a pretty sane move on MS's part... I find it reasonable that an OS doesn't let you remove what may be the only browser on the system, for a lot of reasons. I read this as a push to really ditch IE in the very near future, and don't really mind at all. In no particular order - Something has to provide a native webview for desktop applications - MS has no default package manager for users, and doesn't provide b…

> So removing the browser may leave a user unable to bootstrap another browser onto the system (at least once IE is actually gone) without outside help or another machine. Invoke-WebRequest 'https://download.mozilla.org/?product=firefox-latest-ssl&os=win64&lang=en-US' -OutFile firefox-latest.exe

Did you use a browser to get that command? And did you type it by hand, or copy pasting it?

Re: Microsoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page

#44
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it has a rule, that prohibits 3rd party browser engines. :/

I don't think it's that, rather it makes it nigh impossible because the browsers will have to be rewritten to use UWP APIs, which were quite limited when they first launched. Also they won't be able to compete with Edge which had access to restricted APIs

You can install Win32 apps from the store, UWP/WinRT is no longer a requirement: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/bridges/deskto...

Re: Microsoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page

#45
post #35
post #21

I even let Edge be the default browser. That way, whenever an app opens a link, it opens in a browser I don't use, and it can't read any important information or browser fingerprint that matters. I am still using Firefox for my browsing needs. EDIT: It's more about my browsing habits: Now this browser has been opened. I can close it before the page loads and before I have read anything I really don't care about.

If you can't trust the apps that you're running on an unsandboxed system , getting fingerprinted should be the least of your worries. Since there's no sandbox, it could very well keylog everything you type, or steal your browsing history/login cookies directly from your browser.

Precisely this. “I’m worried about fingerprinting because a malicious app on my machine might open such a website!” sounds slightly out of touch.

Re: Microsoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page

#46

Browsers became a functional part of an OS a long time ago. What is the real problem? If you are on windows and worried about bloat? WTF?

Given Microsoft's recent initiatives in the developer experience space they should have a developer edition of Windows. I can see why Microsoft would pull this crap on tech-illiterate Home users but Pro edition should be left alone

Re: Microsoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page

#47

Browsers became a functional part of an OS a long time ago. What is the real problem? If you are on windows and worried about bloat? WTF?

The user doesn't need to justify why they want to do something with their computer.

Re: Microsoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page

#48
post #30
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cant MS just provide a button somewhere that downloads and installs the browser? A computer doesn't need a browser to download something from the internet (such as a browser).

What if your router needs some manual configuration through the web interface? I'm not convinced there is much to gain from letting Edge be uninstalled through normal means as long as it's not consuming resources other than some disk space when you're not using it.

Anything stopping them including the installer with windows?

Re: Microsoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page

#49
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can’t they use the Windows App Store to let users install their browser of choice?

Do I use that window app store to configure my router or internet connection? How about if you have a corporate account and log in through a connector like okta, which display a web page for login? How about when firefox and half your os gets infected and deleted by your av -will a windows install disk bring back your browser so you can download firefox again? Being able to show a webpage is an essential function of…

re: router config - Windows has Captive Portal support and all routers which require config will intercept dns requests to msftconnecttest.com and redirect to the local IP of the router which Windows will show in a modal window

re: corporate account - The WebBrowser component (MSTML/Trident) will never be removed because it would require replacing a huge part of the OS that handles this, in too many places, and it won't be replaced with WebView based on CrEdge because that has no support for proprietary Microsoft controls.

They will remove IE, but not Trident.

Re: Microsoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page

#50
post #30
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cant MS just provide a button somewhere that downloads and installs the browser? A computer doesn't need a browser to download something from the internet (such as a browser).

What if your router needs some manual configuration through the web interface? I'm not convinced there is much to gain from letting Edge be uninstalled through normal means as long as it's not consuming resources other than some disk space when you're not using it.

re: router config, see my comment here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24203962
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