MSN Widgets Board on Windows 11 Now Opens in Default Browser Like Chrome (EU Region Only)

Recently, Microsoft introduced a significant update to Windows 11 widgets, enabling them to open in the default browser for users within the European Economic Area (EEA).This adjustment aligns with the company’s efforts to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).According to findings from Windows Latest, selecting a browser like Chrome as the default not only alters the browsing experience but also designates it as the default for.htm and.html files, consequently influencing the behavior of the Widget board.

While I might be an exception, I utilize Widgets daily to keep up with headlines and monitor my phone’s battery life and notifications. My experience is further enhanced by using Microsoft Edge as my default browser, allowing MSN content to open seamlessly.

However, many users primarily see Edge as a gateway to downloading other browsers like Chrome. This is coupled with the fact that Edge’s market share has been gradually improving. For a significant portion of users, widgets, particularly concerning news and weather updates, can be perceived as bothersome because they launch in Edge instead of their preferred browsers.

In a bid to enhance the appeal of widgets, Microsoft is also investing in a revamped feed powered by Copilot. This clearly indicates the company’s intention to drive traffic to MSN’s news and weather sections.

Understanding the Shift: Why Widgets Open in the Default Browser

In June, Microsoft revealed that web content featured in widgets and on the lock screen would now launch in the user’s established default browser within the EEA. This update was rolled out exclusively for Windows 11 users.

The revamped feed experiences on the Widgets Board and Lock Screen function through the “Start Experiences App”, which unfortunately is not accessible for Windows 10 users.

On Windows 10, users can only create dockable windows on the taskbar using desk band APIs, which serve as toolbars that integrate seamlessly into the taskbar. These can showcase persistent UI elements, such as live data and application-specific controls.

Continuing to utilize this capability, Microsoft Edge will ensure that its News and Interests feature remains operational, allowing all web content to open directly.

Under the Digital Markets Act, particularly DMA Article 6(3), gatekeepers within the EEA are mandated to give end users the freedom to select and maintain default applications for essential functions, including web browsing without redirection.

This means that Microsoft cannot bypass user preferences for news and weather links displayed on the Widgets Board by forcing them to open in Edge when users select a different browser.

To align with DMA requirements, Microsoft expanded Edge’s “Set default” feature to include additional file types like.htm and.html, previously limited to just.http and.https links.

Setting Your Default Browser for Widgets in Windows 11

Before this update, users resorted to tools like EdgeDeflector and MSEdgeRedirect to circumvent Windows 11’s default behavior for widgets. While EdgeDeflector was blocked by Microsoft, MSEdgeRedirect remains functional by rerouting commands to the browser of choice.

Some advanced users have opted to modify registry settings, though outcomes have varied.

If you are in the EEA, proceed to the Microsoft Store > Downloads > Check for Updates to see if there’s an update available for the “Start Experiences App”.

Next, click on the weather or any news via the widgets; ideally, they should now open in your default browser. Our tests indicated that news and weather content correctly launched in Chrome when set as the default on a virtual machine located in Germany. We also noted that Spotlight links on the desktop and lock screen were consistent in directing to the default browser.

Interestingly, even without a Microsoft account linked to our Windows 11 setup, all links opened directly in Chrome after creating a local user for our virtual machine. It’s likely that MSN will see increased traffic, particularly among users who opt not to sign into their Microsoft accounts while using Windows.

At this time, Microsoft has not provided information on whether these changes will extend to users outside the EU. However, the ability to access widgets in a preferred browser may encourage more users to engage with this feature, especially amidst the growing trend of AI-enhanced browsers capturing public interest.

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