Microsoft is now using a Windows driver to prevent users from changing the configured Windows 10 and Windows 11 default browser through software or by manually modifying the Registry.
This is the norm. They have settings in Group Policy for a lot of this (sans the teams opening in edge, that is absolutely utter horseshit).
The regedit you did (and most regedits to “fix” stupid default settings) is a manual version of the GP setting to just disable web search in the start menu.
If you don’t use Windows with a Pro license, and you stay with Windows, next time buy a Pro license from a bulk OEM Pro License seller for cheap (or look up the latest way to spoof licensing and get it for free), and get access to Group Policy. It’s effectively Control Panel/Settings menu on steroids for corporate sysadmins.
I swear that 80% of peoples complaints with Windows can be handled with Group Policy. Shit that it’s locked away from the average user, but the average user literally can’t tell the difference between web browsers if you make the shortcuts have the same icon.
I swear that 80% of peoples complaints with Windows can be handled with Group Policy.
One shouldn’t have to go into the Group Policy screens just to restore basic functionality like ‘use my default browser’ and ‘stop searching the web when I am searching my computer’ and ‘stop sending all my actions to your servers’. There is a reason people have been telling others to use Linux, rather than continue to put up with Microsoft’s crap.
This is the norm. They have settings in Group Policy for a lot of this (sans the teams opening in edge, that is absolutely utter horseshit).
The regedit you did (and most regedits to “fix” stupid default settings) is a manual version of the GP setting to just disable web search in the start menu.
If you don’t use Windows with a Pro license, and you stay with Windows, next time buy a Pro license from a bulk OEM Pro License seller for cheap (or look up the latest way to spoof licensing and get it for free), and get access to Group Policy. It’s effectively Control Panel/Settings menu on steroids for corporate sysadmins.
I swear that 80% of peoples complaints with Windows can be handled with Group Policy. Shit that it’s locked away from the average user, but the average user literally can’t tell the difference between web browsers if you make the shortcuts have the same icon.
One shouldn’t have to go into the Group Policy screens just to restore basic functionality like ‘use my default browser’ and ‘stop searching the web when I am searching my computer’ and ‘stop sending all my actions to your servers’. There is a reason people have been telling others to use Linux, rather than continue to put up with Microsoft’s crap.
Honestly, don’t buy Windows license. If you insist using that piece of malware, at least allow yourself a little bit of decency and just “pirate” it