Microsoft Plans to Give Users More Control Over Windows 11 Experience

source: Microsoft Microsoft is addressing criticisms of its handling of app defaults in Windows 11 with new features to give users more control over their PC experience. One of the biggest criticisms of Windows 11 has been the company's handling of app defaults, making it more difficult for users to move away from first-party offerings. However, in a blog post published on Friday, Microsoft announced a feature that will ensure users are in control of changes to their app defaults, including a new deep link uniform resource identifier (URI) that will allow developers to send users to the correct section of the Settings menu when they want to change how Windows 11 responds to specific links and file types. This will make it easier for users to customize Windows 11 to their preferences. In addition to the changes to app defaults, Microsoft will also introduce a new public API that will give users more control over what apps get pinned to their desktop, start menu, and taskbar. The API will display a prompt asking users to grant programs permission before they show up on those interface elements. This will help users better manage their PC and ensure that they only have the apps they want and need on their desktop, start menu, and taskbar. source: Microsoft The new features will first be available to PCs enrolled in the Windows Insider Dev Channel in the coming months before arriving in the public release of Windows 11. Microsoft has also committed to leading by example and releasing updates for Edge that will see the browser add support for the new features as they become available. This will make it easier for users to use Edge as their default browser and customize their browsing experience. In the blog post, Microsoft said it was "reaffirming our long-standing approach to put people in control of their Windows PC experience." The new features demonstrate the company's commitment to ensuring that Windows 11 is customizable and that users have more control over their PC experience. By giving users more control over app defaults and what apps get pinned to their desktop, start menu, and taskbar, Microsoft is addressing one of the most consistent criticisms of Windows 11 and ensuring that users can customize their PC to their liking.