Microsoft Makes It Harder to Change Default Apps in Windows 10 Build 10568

[Batu69]

“You sure you want to change default apps? You really sure?”

And the same message for Movies & TV

One of the changes that Microsoft made in Windows 10 concerns the steps you have to make in order to change default apps and it's no surprise that many software developers aren't really pleased with this.

Mozilla, for example, the famous maker of Firefox, publicly criticized Microsoft for not allowing third-party apps to directly change default apps, which basically made it impossible for their own browser to replace Edge automatically in Windows 10. Instead, users need to manually change the default browser in the operating system, so the options that Firefox brought in this regard have become pretty much useless.

But starting with Windows 10 build 10568, Microsoft is experimenting with new changes that could make it even harder to change default apps.

Are you sure you want to switch defaults?

Now when you access the default apps menu in the Settings screen and want to replace Edge, Movies & TV, Photos, or any other program that comes with Windows 10, Microsoft displays another prompt to make sure you know what you're doing.

“Give Microsoft Edge a shot. Before you switch defaults, see what you can do in an app built just for Windows 10: write on webpages and share your ideas, read distraction-free with reading view, get answers in the browser for Cortana, your personal assistant (where available),” the message reads.

You have two different options: “Don't switch and try now,” which is clearly the preferred option for Microsoft and is prominently highlighted in the message prompt, and “Switch anyway,” displayed without any highlights at the bottom of the dialog.

Obviously, this shouldn't affect too much users who really want to replace default apps in Windows 10, but it could actually make it even harder for third-party apps to do it because one more prompt is displayed during the process.

Keep in mind that this is only part of a preview build, so it remains to be seen if Microsoft brings it in the final version of Windows 10.

Source

[heyyahblah]

yea that is f**king bullshit. i hate this in Windows 10, all the other operating systems would do this automatically, what about the non savvy users for Windows 10? They have to navigate now to change default apps manually? Are you f**king kidding me? This pisses me off when I have to do everything manually for browsers, vlc player and winamp. I don't want to use M$ garbage, and who wants to use edge anyways? It's a piece of crap.

This world has already adapted to use Chrome/Firefox or Opera as their main browsers. No one is going to start to use IE12 (aka Edge) now or ever, you must be really stupid to use those unsecure pieces of uncustomizable crap browsers. What a joke.

[Karlston]

Desperation, arrogance, and bullying... as only Microsoft can do it.

Yep, I'd certainly like to give Microsoft Edge a shot... with both barrels... :)

[Amigaspace]

I don't know why sometimes, when I right-click/Open With... on files, the "Always open with" tickbox is nowhere to be found. Extremely annoying.

[wikig1itch]

lol I didn't realise adding an extra prompt to change settings makes it harder to change default apps for people. <_< People love complaining about nonsensical things I swear...

[oliverjia]

lol I didn't realise adding an extra prompt to change settings makes it harder to change default apps for people. <_< People love complaining about nonsensical things I swear...

Don't you see the trend? What really matters is what Microsoft did before, what it's doing right now, and you'll see what it will do in the future. Why the heck they add that extra prompt? To waste people's time?

[wikig1itch]

lol I didn't realise adding an extra prompt to change settings makes it harder to change default apps for people. <_< People love complaining about nonsensical things I swear...

Don't you see the trend? What really matters is what Microsoft did before, what it's doing right now, and you'll see what it will do in the future. Why the heck they add that extra prompt? To waste people's time?

If people seriously have a problem with the direction Microsoft is taking then stop using Windows 10. Simple as that. It takes only 1 second to skip past the prompt, it is hardly worth complaining about.

[straycat19]

The only half way decent version of Windows 10 is the Enterprise LTSB version that doesn't have all those junk apps, including edge, installed with it. And microsoft says they will only have security updates for it with no additional program changes for the next ten years.