Latest news with #MicrosoftEdge
Engadget
9 hours ago
- Business
- Engadget
Microsoft Edge will stop begging you for attention (in Europe, at least)
Good news to anyone living in the European Economic Area (EEA): Microsoft is toning down its "pick me" energy in order to further comply with the Digital Markets Act. The company has announced updates that notably include Microsoft Edge no longer begging to be your default browser. However, if you open the AI-powered browser, the guilt trip will return for the time being. This change should already be available, rolling in with an Edge update released on Thursday, May 29. On top of that, you should no longer get pestered by other apps to reinstall Microsoft Edge if you choose to remove it altogether. The only exception are progressive web apps (PWAs) that have Microsoft Edge tech. This update is still coming to some apps, and should roll out to Windows 10 and 11 this month. You can also separate yourself even further from the tech giant and uninstall the Microsoft Store on your device. Any apps you already downloaded will continue to update. The new option should come "later this year" on Windows 10 and 11 devices.
Tom's Guide
12 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Finally! Microsoft will stop begging you to make Edge your default browser — but not for everyone
Tired of having Microsoft Edge pop up on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC begging you to make it your default browser? If you're in Europe, Microsoft will be giving you a break. As part of the Digital Markets Act in the European Economic Area (EEA), Microsoft announced it will stop prompting Windows users to set Edge as its default browser. Even when uninstalled, other Microsoft apps won't hassle you to reinstall it. That means no more Bing search results, too. Now, when changing the default browser to third-party apps such as Chrome, Opera, Firefox or others, pressing "Set default" will change more link and file types. Currently, this only includes http, https, .htm and .html. With the update, it will now include the following: What's more, using the "Set default" button in settings will also offer the option to pin your browser app of choice to the Taskbar and Start menu — instead of the usual Edge browser. Microsoft is also updating Windows Search, allowing users part of the EEA to have third-party web search providers to be automatically enabled once the app is installed. This means these apps can provide web search results in Windows Search right off the bat, rather than having it be manually enabled. These apps can be reordered and customized in Settings as well. Interestingly, Windows 11 and Windows 10 users will also be able to uninstall the Microsoft Store. While apps installed through the Store will still update in the background to keep them secure, you will no longer need the Store, as it won't be treated as an essential system app any longer, For those in the EEA, the Microsoft Store can be uninstalled from either the Start menu or Settings like any other app. And, of course, if can be reinstalled at any time. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Other updates to Windows apps in the EEA include the Microsoft Bing app opening web content with the default browser. The Start menu will also open web content with the set default browser. These updates are already available for Windows 11 and Windows 10 users in Europe for preview in Windows Insider builds, and are set to roll out over the coming weeks — with the default browser changes set to arrive in July. Other markets, including the U.S., aren't expected to see any of these changes, so will have to put up with Edge and Bing search results (apologies in advance). Although, if you're set on using other browsers, like using the world's first agentic AI web browser, you can always easily uninstall Microsoft Edge, too.
The Verge
a day ago
- Business
- The Verge
Microsoft will finally stop bugging Windows users about Edge — but only in Europe
Microsoft's changes in response to the Digital Markets Act already included allowing Windows machines in the regions it covers to uninstall Edge and remove Bing results from Windows search, but now the list is growing in some meaningful ways. New features announced Monday for Microsoft Windows users in the European Economic Area (the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) include the option to uninstall the Microsoft Store and avoid extra nags or prompts asking them to set Microsoft Edge as the default browser unless they choose to open it. That last one is one I'd like to have readily available in the United States, and according to Microsoft, it's already live in the EEA, starting with Edge version 137.0.3296.52 that rolled out on May 29th. Additionally, setting a different browser, like Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or something else, will pin it to the taskbar unless the user chooses not to. While setting a different browser default already attaches it to a few link and file types like https and .html, now users in the EEA will see it apply to more types like 'read,' ftp, and .svg. The default browser changes are live for some users in the beta channel and are set to roll out widely on Windows 10 and Windows 11 in July. Microsoft also explained that even after removing the Store app from Start and Settings, 'Apps installed and distributed from the Microsoft Store will continue to get updates,' and it can always be reinstalled. Other changes mentioned include automatically enabling third-party apps to add their web search results in Windows Search upon installation, and the option to move search providers around based on user preference. With updates rolling out in 'early June,' the Microsoft Bing app, as well as the Widgets Board and Lock Screen, will open web content with the default browser instead.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
Microsoft Authenticator will shut off the password autofill feature in July — here's how to save them
Microsoft users who have been taking advantage of the Authenticator app and its password autofill feature have this month to save their passwords and find a new solution for managing them. As reported by Bleeping Computer, the app has begun issuing a full-screen banner notification to alert users that the password autofill feature will be deprecated next month. The warning also recommends that users transfer their saved passwords to Microsoft Edge to continue using the autofill feature. The Microsoft Authenticator app has been providing secure sign-ins for mobile accounts that require multi-factor authentication, such as push notifications, password-less logins, time-based one-time passwords or biometric-based confirmation. However, it is now being shuttered and users are being encouraged to either switch their passwords over to Microsoft's browser or export their saved passwords before the end of the month. Microsoft is making the switch a bit easier by including a button at the bottom of the notification window that says 'Turn on Edge,' which can be clicked (in iOS) to bring users to the AutoFill & Passwords setting menu, where Edge can be enabled as a password autofill provider. The notification also links to a Microsoft support page that provides additional information and a timeline of how the deprecation will proceed. Starting this month, June 2025, users will no longer be able to save any new passwords in Authenticator. During the next month, July 2025, users will no longer be able to use autofill with Authenticator. Then, from August 2025 onward, saved passwords will no longer be accessible in Authenticator. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The linked Microsoft support page explains that saved passwords (not generated password history) are securely synced to your Microsoft account, so users can continue to access them and use the autofill functionality with Edge. To use generated passwords, users can save them from the Generator history by accessing them from the password tab in their saved passwords. Suppose you don't wish to use Microsoft Edge. In that case, you can go into the Microsoft Authenticator settings and export the passwords into a CSV file, so they can be imported into a different program.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Why Microsoft is warning Authenticator app users to save their passwords on Edge browser immediately
Microsoft is asking users of the Authenticator app to back up all their saved passwords immediately. This comes after the company announced plans to phase out the app's password management capabilities starting next month. Microsoft Authenticator, which is widely used for providing two-factor authentication for online accounts, offers users the convenience of storing and autofilling passwords for various apps and websites, a feature that will now be removed. The company is now shifting its password management feature to its Edge browser. What Microsoft said about transferring passwords from Authenticator to Edge In a blog post, Microsoft explains how this change will affect users. The company writes: 'Your saved passwords (but not your generated password history) and addresses are securely synced to your Microsoft account, and you can continue to access them and enjoy seamless autofill functionality with Microsoft Edge, a secure and user-friendly AI-powered web browser that offers features such as Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, Password Monitor, and InPrivate search.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo The company has confirmed: 'Starting June 2025, you will no longer be able to save new passwords in Authenticator. During July 2025, you will not be able to use autofill with Authenticator. From August 2025, your saved passwords will no longer be accessible in Authenticator.' The tech giant has also noted that any saved payment information, including credit card details stored in the Authenticator app, will be deleted by the deadline. This payment data will not automatically transfer to the Microsoft Edge browser and will require users to manually re-enter their card details in Edge if they wish to continue using Microsoft's ecosystem for payment information storage. To keep using generated passwords, users should save them from the Generator history (accessible via the appropriate icon or option from the Password tab) into their saved passwords. Microsoft Authenticator will continue to support passkeys. However, it's important to note that if passkeys are set up for a Microsoft account, users must ensure that Authenticator remains enabled as the Passkey Provider. Disabling Authenticator will also disable the associated passkeys. How to use Microsoft Edge's password autofill feature To use autofill with Microsoft Edge, users need to set Edge as their default autofill provider on their mobile devices. For iPhone users, this involves downloading the Microsoft Edge browser and navigating to the device's settings. Under General, they must select 'Autofill & Passwords' and then choose Edge from the list of available password managers. Once Edge is selected and the user has signed in, their passwords and addresses will be securely synced with their Microsoft account. These details can be managed through the Edge app under Settings > Passwords. It's important to note that if passkeys have been set up for a Microsoft Account, the Microsoft Authenticator app must remain enabled as the designated Passkey Provider, as disabling it will result in the loss of access to those passkeys. Android users follow a similar process. After downloading the Edge browser, they need to go to their device's settings and search for the Autofill option. Under Preferred Service, they should choose Edge. After signing in to the Edge browser, autofill will become active, and their passwords and addresses will be securely synced with their Microsoft account. These can also be accessed through Edge's Settings under the Passwords section. Additional precautions apply to Android users who have set up passkeys for work or school accounts using the Authenticator app. In such cases, they need to ensure that the Authenticator toggle is enabled under Device Settings > Autofill > Additional Services. Turning off Authenticator will also disable the use of passkeys. Furthermore, for security reasons, payment information is not synced to Edge or any other app and is saved only on the device where it was entered. Microsoft has announced that any payment information stored in the Authenticator app will be deleted after July 2025, requiring users to manually re-enter this data if needed. To access saved passwords in Microsoft Edge on a mobile device, users can simply open the app, tap the menu icon, go to Settings, and select Passwords.
