Microsoft will allow European users to uninstall Edge and Bing from Windows

Microsoft has announced that it will allow European users to uninstall Edge and Bing from Windows, in response to antitrust complaints from the European Commission. The company said it will provide an option to remove the default browser and search engine from its operating system, starting with the next major update in 2024.

The decision comes after the European Commission opened an investigation into Microsoft's practices of bundling Edge and Bing with Windows, which it said could harm competition and consumer choice. The Commission accused Microsoft of abusing its dominant position in the PC market to promote its own products and services, and of limiting the ability of users to switch to alternatives.

Microsoft said it respects the Commission's concerns and is committed to ensuring a fair and open digital market in Europe. The company said it will work with the Commission to address any issues and comply with EU competition rules. Microsoft also said it will continue to invest in improving Edge and Bing, and that it hopes users will choose them based on their quality and performance.

Microsoft's move is seen as a major concession to EU regulators, who have been cracking down on tech giants for their alleged anti-competitive behavior. The Commission has already fined Google billions of euros for imposing its own apps and services on Android devices, and is also investigating Apple and Amazon for similar practices. The Commission has also proposed new legislation that would impose stricter rules and obligations on digital platforms, such as transparency, interoperability and data portability.

Some analysts have welcomed Microsoft's announcement, stating that it will benefit both users and competitors. They said it will give users more control over their devices and preferences, and will create a more level playing field for other browsers and search engines. They also said it will encourage Microsoft to innovate and improve its products, rather than relying on its market power.

However, some critics have questioned whether Microsoft's move will have a significant impact on the market. They said most users are unlikely to uninstall Edge and Bing, either because they are unaware of the option or because they are happy with the default settings. They also said that Microsoft still has other advantages over its rivals, such as its integration with other popular products such as Office and Xbox. They also said that Microsoft's move may be too late, as Edge and Bing have already gained substantial market share in Europe.

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Microsoft is updating its Windows operating system to give users in the European Union more control over pre-installed apps, including the Edge browser.

This is a response to the EU Digital Market Law, a new regulation that aims to prevent the dominance of big tech companies, such as Microsoft, Google and Apple. The EU views these companies as “gatekeepers” that have the power to influence the market and harm smaller competitors.

According to Microsoft, it will soon release a preview version of Windows 11 for EU users that will allow them to uninstall Edge, which is currently integrated with the operating system and Windows 10.

"We want to give our customers choice and flexibility," the company said in a blog post. In addition to Edge, the Bing-powered web search feature from the Windows search bar can also be disabled in Europe. Additionally, EU users can also choose to remove Photos, Cortana, and Camera, three apps that Microsoft has also started removing for US users.

The Windows 11 preview is expected to launch later this month. Microsoft also plans to offer a similar preview version for Windows 10 "in the near future." The company intends to implement uninstall options for EU users by March 6, 2024, in accordance with the Digital Markets Act.

Microsoft is also making changes to the operating system to comply with EU regulations, such as enabling "interoperability" for the Windows Widget Board and web search in Windows Search. This means that users will have the option to use third-party software in these functions.