One of the best things about technology is that we can customize everything to our liking. From backgrounds to ringtones to choice of browser, it is all up to you – that is unless you installed Microsoft 11 on your device. Not only has Microsoft forced all Windows 11 users to install the Edge browser, but the tech giant has also now added a new requirement for users – all links clicked within Outlook or Teams will be opened using the Edge browser by default. According to The Verge, it doesn’t matter which browser is set by default on your device; Outlook and Teams are set to bypass user preference and utilize Edge instead. For those who don’t want to be told what to do, there is a workaround which we will explain later in this article.
The policy change was first noticed by Reddit users after a message appeared in the Microsoft 365 admin center speaking about the new rules. The admin message says:
“To help increase productivity while working online, web links from Azure Active Directory (AAD) accounts and Microsoft (MSA) accounts in the Outlook for Windows app will open in Microsoft Edge in a single view showing the opened link side-by-side with the email it came from. The web link will open in Microsoft Edge as a new tab, and the email will open next to it in the Edge sidebar, so users can easily reference the opened link and the email side-by-side without switching back and forth between apps.”
The policy will be evident to companies within the next month, and stand-alone Microsoft 365 users will be rolled into the new link-opening policy gradually. The same revision is being added to Teams as well, but Microsoft plans a separate announcement when that change takes place.
As you might expect, forcing people to utilize the Edge browser against their will has made many consumers upset. It’s easy to understand when you realize that Microsoft published a blog post in March 2023 that stated, “Today, we are reaffirming our long-standing approach to put people in control of their Windows PC experience and to empower developers to take advantage of our open platform.” That announcement goes on to assure users that Microsoft will “ensure people who use Windows are in control of changes to their pins and their defaults.”
Not Happy with the Microsoft Edge Browser Policy?
Anyone who doesn’t want to play along with Microsoft’s policy can change the options in Outlook – although it will take a little effort as Microsoft buried the ability deep into Advance Settings of the Edge browser. To change back to your default browser, navigate to File > Options > Advanced > Link handling and use the drop-down box to change the switch to “Default Browser.”
If you are a Sarasota area business owner and need assistance with your Microsoft installation, the team at Alliance IT can help. We are happy to help your organization to assess your needs, determine the right software and apps for your situation, and be with you through the installation. Call today to learn more.
Alliance IT offers a range of services, including:
- Managed Sevices
- Cloud Services
- Security and Compiance
- Networks and Cabling
- Voice over IP Phones
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
- AWS Migrations
- IT Consultations
Alliance IT helps small to medium-sized businesses to optimize their resources and take advantage of our scaled hardware, software, and communications solutions. Call today to learn more.
