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Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

blogs.windows.com

81–90 of 366 posts

Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

#81
post #4

Neat! But why not respect the users choice everywhere on earth?

I love Microsoft, but I hate whoever is controlling all these awful choices for their OS. Lets be real its probably a marketing team trying to sell office and whatever else. I just want a version of Windows for actual professionals with no nonsense on it. Slim it down, make it feel like I'm on a 2023 machine with the minimalism of like idk Windows XP or Windows 7. No nonsense.

Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

#82
post #65
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What does using a Mac have to do with the article?

Well avoiding the problem to start with is a perfectly good solution.

Apple avoids the problem of not respecting my browser choice how, exactly?

Apple open webviews in Safari, does not respect the user's choice at all, and doesn't even allow you to install a non-safari browser on their mobile OS.

This is like peak irony. Apple is the walking definition of this problem.

Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

#83

How do I make Windows 11 think I'm in the EU?

When you're at the point of tricking your operating system into thinking you're in a different country to make it function properly, it may be time to try a new OS.

macOS has excellent compatibility with 95% of windows software through Parallels, and also respects your choice of browser.

I have Firefox, Chrome, Tor Browser and Brave running next to my current browser of preference, Safari. But switching back and forth is easy, and macOS respects my choice when I change the settings.

Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

#84
post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, they get the benefit of tariff-free and non-tariff-barrier-free trade in goods and services with EU members. That's a huge deal.

I phrased my previous comment wrong (and should edit it). There’s of course a benefit to adopting the regulations and following the rules — you get to participate in the free trade area. But without a say in how those regulations and rules are formed.

Thing is, now the UK doesn't get to participate in the free trade area, but is a rule taker anyway:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/aug/01/uk-eu-safet... - UK to retain EU safety mark in latest Brexit climbdown

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66394235 - Post-Brexit import checks on food delayed again

Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

#85
post #77

Wonder how much this regulation cost to draft, pass, and implement? Several million dollars? Any EU tax payers care to justify this insanity? I mean does any normal person even care about this? Eg, not people on HN with Macbook Pros – your average Windows user. At the end of the day Windows does loads of stuff I don't like. That's why I don't use Windows anymore. Like with most things the EU regulates this just isn't…

I agree these grapes look very sour

Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

#86
post #9

My decision to move to Mac when the M1 came out is starting to pay more and more dividends!

I mean... this is a hugely ironic comment given the topic is discussing respect for the user's desired browser. Something Apple does considerably worse than Microsoft, intentionally and purposefully - entirely for control and profit, mostly to maintain their app store taxes.

Is there a place I missed where macOS does not respect the user's default browser setting? (I'm using work-mandated Chrome as default on work laptop, never had an instance of Safari opening)

(can't comment on iOS since I use Safari there, but then TFA is about Windows 11 i.e desktop-side)

Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

#87
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Region settings, possibly: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/adjust-region-settings-on-w...

Probably a combination of different inputs, like timezone, regional, GPS (if computer supports that) and figuring out public IP. Knowing Microsoft, they'll try their hardest to avoid flagging a computer as within EEA if they possibly could.

I wonder how this works, if I buy a laptop in the EU as a EU citizen and travel to for example the US, I still expect them to adhere to the rules where I bought it.

Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

#88
post #58

How do I make Windows 11 think I'm in the EU?

When you're at the point of tricking your operating system into thinking you're in a different country in order to make it function properly, it may be time to try a new OS. GNU/Linux has excellent compatibility with 95% of windows software through wine

I used to run Debian, but gaming was always worse than Windows for me (new AMD graphics card, yes photon is great but it's not a replacement for me). My end users are all on Windows too, and I could never properly emulate their experience on Debian (short of _emulating_ Windows).

WSL2 works really well for my needs. I get the best of both worlds. I also hate all of the data collection and dark patterns.

Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

#89
post #22
post #3

Default browser has to be something as lite as possible, probably Pale Moon. Because random apps use to call the browser any time they want and if the default browser is browser I use, it eats a lot of time and laptop battery trying to start my hundreds-tab monster.

I don't think people would've complained so much about Edge if it wasn't the monster full of adware that it is today. I used Edge for a few years when it came out and it was good, but each version they shoved something new in your face and I had to go back to Chrome.

Edge used to be a legitimately valid choice

Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe

#90

I'm loving M$ having to admit they're intentionally abusing their users by disrespecting their preferences even when it would cost them nothing to do so.

When will Apple admit?

Apple doesn’t disrespect set user preferences in the same way that Microsoft does. This sort of oversimplified drive-by whataboutism isn’t great for conversation.
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