ecosystem announced major changes al own operating system to comply with the Digital Markets Act (Dma), the European regulation designed for limit the abuse of a dominant position by the digital giants. The changes will only affect the countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), which also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, in addition to the 27 members of the EU.
Among main new features, stands out the possibility for users to uninstall the Microsoft Store, the digital store of apps, just like any other application. However, the possibility of updating the apps installed through the Store will remain active, which can also be reinstalled at any time.
Windows: More Freedom in Choosing Your Browser
One of the most controversial areas it has always been that of the browser: with the new rules, it will finally be possible set an alternative browser as default more comprehensively. In addition to the usual protocols (http, https, .htm, .html), Windows will allow di associate other file types and links (such as .svg, .xml, ftp, “read”) to your chosen browser.
Also when a user sets a new default browser using the “Set as default” in Settings, this will automatically be docked to the taskbar unless you choose otherwise.
Another novelty significant: from the version 137.0.3296.52 di Microsoft Edge (available from May 29, 2025), the browser will no longer send notifications which prompt the user to set it as the default unless explicitly opened.
Windows: New experience for search and web content
Also changes the How Windows Internal Search Works. Third-party apps will be able to integrate their results directly into the search box, and users will be able to customize the order of providers in the settings page. This update, already active in preliminary versions (Insider Build), will be available in official versions of Windows 10 and 11 from June.
In the new scenario, even theBing Apps , widget screen (on Windows 11) will open web content in the user's default browser and no longer in Microsoft Edge. Same behavior for the lock screen. Some functions like “News & Interests” on Windows 10 will continue to use Edge.
Microsoft Store will be uninstallable
One of the most symbolic (and long-requested) changes is the ability to completely remove the Microsoft Store. Once uninstalled, apps downloaded through the Store will still receive updates and can be managed via Web Installer. The removal process will be simple: the Store will appear among the uninstallable apps from Start or Settings, like any other software. The option is not immediately active but will be available by the end of 2025, completing an adaptation plan that aims to ensure greater freedom of use and competition in the Windows system.
What is the Digital Markets Act?
Il Digital Markets Act is a European Union legislation entry into force in March 2024. It applies to large digital platforms, called “gatekeepers”, which act as key intermediaries between businesses and consumersThese companies are obliged to offer real alternatives and not to favor its own services to the detriment of competing ones.
The DMA requires, among other things, the separation of search engines and browsers, new consent screens for data collection, and the obligation to make integrated apps and services deactivatable or uninstallable. European authorities can sanction gatekeepers who do not comply, up to 10% of global annual turnover.
With these changes to Windows, Microsoft joins forces Apple (already fined by the EU for violation of the DMA) and Google in the group of companies obliged to deeply review your strategies software in Europe.
