Everyone's least favorite web browser will soon be impossible to uninstall

[sl8]

https://www.techradar.com/news/everyones-least-favorite-web-browser-will-soon-be-impossible-to-uninstall#:~:text=According%20to%20statistics%20from%20StatCounter,compared%20to%20Chrome's%20colossal%2065.89%25.

Everyone’s least favorite web browser will soon be impossible to uninstall

By Joel Khalili a day ago

Microsoft Edge will remain on Windows devices, whether you like it or not

The new Chromium-based version of web browser Microsoft Edge will soon be impossible to uninstall from Windows devices.

The new Edge browser was launched in January, replacing the outdated HTML-based version now known as Edge Legacy. Until now, Microsoft has opted for a phased approach to the rollout, but will soon push the new browser to all users.

However, according to a Microsoft blog post, once the transition to the new version is complete, users will no longer be able to remove Edge Chromium from their computers - at least not via the traditional avenue.

[...]

[Blues Heron]

1. I miss the early freewheelin days of the web c. 1996

this weird total control crap is for the birds

[canetoad]

2. Start: PC Settings

Apps>Default Apps.

Change you preferences here.

[mdelaguna]

3. 👍

[still_one]

4. Exactly. You may not be able to easily physically remove it from the computer, but you sure don't

have to use it as you default browser

[ariadne0614]

5. Soon is now.

I just tried, but Uninstall is greyed-out. The only “live” option is Modify, so I turned off Default, and changed my preference to Chrome.

[woodsprite]

6. I'll uninstall it - I'll wipe the hard drive and install Linux.

At home, we’re an Apple family. The only reason we have 2 Win10 laptops is for work. Hubby runs an MIS group and I’m a web developer.

[jimlup]

7. Unless you run Linux on the machine!

[localroger]

8. They will probably make it an "essential part of Windows"

As in the days of IE, when they wrapped unrelated bits of Windows functionality into IE so that the whole operating system was broken if you somehow removed it. Still, that doesn't mean you actually have to use it to browse the web.

[SeattleVet]

10. When I worked in a government agency's library we banned IE from use on our public access systems.

It was still 'required' for the OS to work, but I went through and removed all icons, links, and references to it that I could without bricking the systems. Buried the application very deep into an obscure directory; renamed folders and files, changed registry entries to point to the new places, etc.

About once a month when I did my daily morning checks of the systems I'd usually find one where someone had gone through the time and effort of searching for it and using it. Then I'd have to spend time that day going through the system with a fine-tooth comb to remove all of the crap that it had left littered around...caches, cookies, scripts, logfiles, etc.

[beachbumbob]

9. I avoid anything microsoft with running Mint Linux for years

[Midnight Writer]

11. Just got my Windows update this morning, a big one. I still won't use Edge.

[douglas9]

12. How to remove the new Microsoft Edge if uninstallation is blocked

https://www.ghacks.net/2020/07/07/how-to-remove-the-new-microsoft-edge-if-uninstallation-is-blocked/

[ManiacJoe]

13. Edge Chromium is actually a good browser.

Needs a little work in the handling of bookmarks and tabs.

Chrome and Firefox are also good. (I have all three.)
Pick the one you want as your default browser and mark it as such.