Microsoft Updates Windows in Europe to Comply with Digital Markets Act

Microsoft has announced a set of changes to Windows 10 and 11 in the European Economic Area (EEA), driven by compliance with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). These updates aim to reduce the aggressive promotion of Microsoft Edge and Bing. Users in the EEA can now uninstall the Microsoft Store and avoid frequent prompts encouraging the use of Edge as the default browser. Starting with Edge version 137.0.3296.52, these features have begun rolling out as of May 29, 2025.

In addition, when a user sets an alternative browser such as Chrome or Firefox as the default, it will automatically be pinned to the taskbar—unless the user opts out. More file and link types, like FTP, .svg, and “read,” will now respect the user’s chosen default browser, improving consistency in user experience.

Microsoft is also enabling third-party apps to integrate their web search results into Windows Search and allowing users to rearrange their search providers. These adjustments are set to roll out more broadly in July 2025. Notably, content launched from Bing, the Widgets Board, or the Lock Screen will now open in the default browser, not Edge, in the EEA. Although these changes are geographically limited, they mark a significant shift in Microsoft’s browser and service promotion tactics under regulatory pressure.