You Can't Change the Default Browser or Switch To Google Search In Windows 10 S (betanews.com)

BrianFagioli quotes a report from BetaNews: If developers do start leveraging the Windows Store, the Windows 10 S experiment could take off, as users won't find a need to install legacy programs. This will largely depend on web browsers being available there, as many users dislike Edge. Thankfully, Microsoft is allowing third-party browser installs from the Windows Store. Unfortunately, there is a big catch -- you cannot change the default. Buried in the Windows 10 S FAQ, the following question is presented -- "Are there any defaults that I cannot change on my Windows 10 S PC?" Microsoft provides the answer: "Yes, Microsoft Edge is the default web browser on Microsoft 10 S. You are able to download another browser that might be available from the Windows Store, but Microsoft Edge will remain the default if, for example, you open an .htm file. Additionally, the default search provider in Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer cannot be changed."

Comments

Playing with fire

[evolutionary]

This is getting into anti-trust law violation borderline. Even in the USA, they could get burned for this like they did with the Internet Explorer. Some people never learn. We should all just switch to Linux.

Windows RT Mark 2

[ReluctantRefactorer]

Windows 10 S is the walled-garden edition, so this is not surprising (but still a silly move from MS). I predict Windows 10 S will fail for the same reason that Windows RT failed: The inability to run "legacy" (desktop) Windows programs.

it worked perfectly last time (not sarcasm)

[Anonymous Coward]

It worked last time. Netscape was destroyed. That was worth the eventual fine,

Let's say this time it takes three years to go through the courts and all the appeals. Then they get a billion dollar fine. That is peanuts to Microsoft. They are facing an existential threat from Google and Chrome.

Chromebook

[MoarSauce123]

Try to change the default browser on a Chromebook....but let's bash Microsoft because it is so much fun!

Then rename Win10S laptops to "Edgebook"

[mykepredko]

This goes with my previous post. With "Chromebook", the name tells you what you get.

The backlash is over the fact that Microsoft is performing a bait and switch telling you that this is a Windows machine and you should be able to configure it the same way you can with any other Windows machines.

But, if you're locked in to a browser and you want to compare it against the locked in browser of a "Chromebook", then you need to label it the same way - call it an "Edgebook" and let the market decide whether or not they feel it is superior to the "Chromebook".

Chromebook

[puddingebola]

Not being able to change the default browser, well, Microsoft's response is you can't do that on a Chromebook either. As for not being able to change default search, they are getting sued. Maybe they don't plan to sell it in Europe and can get away with it. It's not like you can't type duckduckgo.com in the URL bar, but Chrome, for example, gives you the choices of Yahoo, Bing, Ask, and AOL on a Chrombook.

Re:Webkit

[Wootery]

If only there were a total monoculture for the web, huh?

No. I, for one, don't want WebKit to be the only game in town. That Mozilla and Microsoft are still maintaining their own rendering-engines is a good thing. (Especially considering that Microsoft is actually doing a good job these days.)

Re:Challenge: Accepted

[FerociousFerret]

Seriously, how long will it take once this is available until there is a 'fix' for this irritation?

Oh no, no, no. Please, nobody 'fix' this. Let the market decide. Microsoft made this bed. Let them lie in it.

Re:Meanwhile, somewhere in Europe..

[Joce640k]

And that's when Microsoft will release a Windows 10 S N for Europe, an edition nobody will use ever.

Apart from all those people who buy a PC in Europe.

Remember: The USA is only 4% of the world.