Microsoft Will Let Users Uninstall Edge, Bing, & Disable Ads On Windows 11

[Xploit Machine]

Microsoft will let users uninstall Edge, Bing, and disable ads on Windows 11 as it complies with the Digital Markets Act and Microsoft ensures Windows 11 is compliant with the Digital Markets Act in the European Economic Area.
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What you need to know​

• Microsoft has published a blog post detailing how it's making Windows 11 compliant with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Economic Area (EEA.)​
• The changes will allow PCs in EEA markets to uninstall Microsoft Edge, disable Bing in Windows Search, and turn off the Microsoft News feed and ads in the Widgets Board.​
• The company is also ensuring Windows 11 acknowledges user defaults, and will allow users to uninstall almost all in-box apps from the OS.​

Microsoft has published a new blog post which details how Windows 11 will be made compliant with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Economic Area (EEA.) To be compliant, Microsoft has made several changes to the OS, which now allows users to choose between providers and uninstall most in-box apps. The biggest changes come in the form of the ability to uninstall the Microsoft Edge web browser, as well as remove Bing Search from the Windows Search pane. This joins the already growing list of in-box apps that can be removed by the user, with there now only being a few system apps, such as File Explorer and Phone Link, that cannot be uninstalled.

Additionally, Microsoft is rolling out an update to the Widgets Board that will allow users to turn off the Microsoft News and ads feed, while keeping widgets for those who wish to utilize them. The company describes these changes as specific to Windows 11 PCs in the EEA, so it's unclear if users outside this area will be able to utilize these functions.

Other changes Microsoft is making to Windows 11 is ensuring the OS remembers the users' set defaults. Whether that be a web browser or email client, Windows will now respect your default choice. The OS will now also ask users in the EEA if they want to sync Windows with a Microsoft account. These changes will rollout in preview on Windows 11 in the Insider Beta Channel in the coming weeks, and will become generally available early next year. Microsoft says Windows 11 will be fully compliant with the DMA by March 6th, 2024. Many of these same changes will roll out to Windows 10 by then, too.
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[Xploit Machine]

What countries are affected by these changes?​

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The EEA is an economic and political union that spans 27 countries in the European and surrounding area. The list of countries included in the EEA are:​

• Austria​
• Belgium​
• Bulgaria​
• Croatia​
• Republic of Cyprus​
• Czech Republic​
• Denmark​
• Estonia​
• Finland​
• France​
• Germany​
• Greece​
• Hungary​
• Iceland​
• Ireland​
• Italy​
• Latvia​
• Liechtenstein​
• Lithuania​
• Luxembourg​
• Malta​
• Netherlands​
• Norway​
• Poland​
• Portugal​
• Romania​
• Slovakia​
• Slovenia​
• Spain​
• Sweden​

 

[Xploit Machine]

What is the Digital Markets Act?​

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a set of established rules and criteria for large online platforms to adhere to in EEA markets. The goal is to ensure users are free to choose the services they want on whatever platform they wish to use, and not be locked to the specific services a platform maker wants them to use. In the case of Microsoft, this means not forcing users to use Edge or Bing, and ensuring the OS is interoperable with other services where necessary. One of the rules of the DMA is allowing users to uninstall and pre-installed software or apps.

It's not just Microsoft that needs to adhere to the DMA either, both Google and Apple are in the same boat, and will need to be compliant with these same rules going forward. Ultimately, the DMA is looking to ensure users always have choices in the software and services they use. It also aims to look out for third-party services that have previously been unfairly treated by a platform's terms and conditions.

Source https://www.windowscentral.com/soft...ninstall-edge-bing-and-disable-ads-in-eea-dma​

 

[cosmic52]

What does this mean to the UK market though?.

 

[Xploit Machine]

Similar to those orders that force manufacturers standardise USB-C ports for both Android and Apple devices, also returning removable batteries and user servicable components (in future).

 

[davehc]

Not going off topic, but, has anyone got Moment 5 in their updates yet. Looks curious but interesting. I understand it is around, but nothing here.

 

[Xploit Machine]

What's New In Windows 11 KB5035942​

This optional release also includes additional fixes and improvements and will update Windows 11 23H2 to build 22631.3374. Other highlighted fixes and new features in the KB5035942 preview update include:​

• This update addresses an issue that stops some apps and features from being available. This occurs after you upgrade to Windows 11.​
• This update adds suggestions to Snap Layouts. They help you to snap multiple app windows together instantly.​
• When you sign in to Windows (in preview) using a local account, you can ask Copilot for help ten times. After that, you must sign in using a Microsoft account (MSA) or a Microsoft Entra ID account (formerly Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)).​
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels setting. The app labels in the taskbar sometimes do not have the correct length, which cuts off the label text.​
• This update adds a dedicated mode for Windows 365 Boot. When you sign in on your company-owned device, doing that also signs you into your Windows 365 Cloud PC.​

Microsoft said the KB5035942 preview cumulative update isn't currently impacted by any known issues. The company also reminded customers that Windows 11 22H2 Enterprise and Education editions will continue to receive non-security preview updates until June 2025, after it reversed its decision to drop them after February 2024.

"The new end date is June 24, 2025 for Windows 11, version 22H2 Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise, and Enterprise multi-session editions. Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editions of version 22H2 will receive non-security preview updates until June, 26, 2024," Redmond said.

"After these dates, only cumulative monthly security updates will continue for the supported editions of Windows 11, version 22H2."


Other's;​

• Generative erase and silence removal powered by AI​
• Improvements to inking, widgets, and more​
• Windows Autopatch is replacing Windows Update for Business​

 

[Xploit Machine]

I don't think Moment 5 updates very much impress me .. seems just casual updates and not useful !