This change is possible due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Economic Area (EEA). Microsoft will roll out updates by March 6, 2024, for Windows 11 (23H2) and 10 (22H2), conforming to the DMA. So, users will have much more control over system apps, default apps, and their data stored with Microsoft.

So, European Economic Area Windows users can uninstall Edge like any other system app. They can also remove Web Search from Microsoft Bing (EEA exclusive), Photos, Cortana, and Camera. It sounds like a win for them, but if you mapped your Windows device to a reason other than Europe, you must bear with Microsoft Edge, as you have until now.

You can change your device region to an EEA country to get access to the Uninstall button. But that would require you to reset your PC or clean install Windows, and select EEA as the default region.

Some “untraditional” methods to remove Edge still exist, but they are not feasible for basic users. But is Edge that bad?

Microsoft Edge Is a Decent Browser

Edge deserves some hate from users because of not having any control over its presence, but don’t mistake it for a lackluster browser. Recently, it surpassed Safari to gain a 13 percent market share in the Desktop browser segment. It is behind Chrome, but gaining the second spot indicates that many users like it.

Currently, the biggest USP of Microsoft Edge is Copilot. The AI-focused search engine is inseparable from the browser. Microsoft didn’t limit its reach and extended its availability to other popular browsers, Windows, and even mobile (Android and iOS).

Moreover, the mobile version of Edge will soon offer extension support, which gives you one more reason to switch. All these quirks, paired with regular support and feature integrations like the Sidebar, Workspaces, and more, make it difficult to ignore.

However, if you are too determined to uninstall Edge, that option may arrive in the Moment 5 update. But whether Microsoft will allow users outside EEA to get rid of their browser so easily is a debatable topic for another time.

The post You’ll be able to uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windows 11 in a few weeks appeared first on Windows Latest

Windows CVP Shilpa Ranganathan shared the news about the new resize feature of Copilot on Twitter. You can now drag the Copilot window to expand it further left. We kept dragging but couldn’t reach the extreme of the screen. It means that Copilot is reliable but cannot cover your full screen.

We also noticed a dedicated button to make Copilot appear side by side with another open window. Once you click on it, Copilot will cover half the screen alongside any open app. Copilot will return to the overlay mode if you click on the button again.

A user suggested that Microsoft offer full-screen support for Copilot, and Shilpa Ranganathan clarified that Microsoft is pondering upon this idea.

Although Copilot is a web-view implementation of the service and co-exits with the Edge browser, making it full-screen shouldn’t be a problem. If you don’t see the resize support on your PC, update Microsoft Edge to the latest version.

Microsoft Copilot is One Year Old Already

Copilot was announced on February 7, 2023. In a recent blog post, Microsoft announced its integration with the Superbowl event. You will see a carousel of suggested ideas you can implement with Copilot. According to Microsoft, Copilot witnessed over 5 billion chats and 5 billion image creations last year and wants to improve heavily in this area.

You can use Designer GPT inside Copilot to make finer adjustments to the generated image to tweak its final look. We tried it in the Edge browser, and the experience was good. You can tweak the design of the generated image to a few styles like Steampunk, Watercolor, etc. Moreover, you can continue your editing spree in Microsoft Designer.

But when we tried doing it with Copilot in Windows, it returned a “This content is blocked. Contact the site owner to fix the issue.” error. Even after repeated tries, we couldn’t get past it. Copilot also supports inline chat, so you can keep asking it to fine-tune the previously generated image.

However, it is only available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and New Zealand. Copilot Pro users can now resize and regenerate images in both square and landscape orientation.

Microsoft’s Copilot is ubiquitous because it is available on most platforms, including Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, all of which are available for Windows and Mac. In addition, you can use its dedicated app on Android and iOS.

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Microsoft announced the deprecation of nineteen features in 2023, which is very high compared to the only two announcements in 2022. Some of these features are a surprise because even if you don’t use them daily, they come in handy occasionally. We do stand by some decisions but are utterly baffled by others.

You will notice that some of them still exist on your Windows PC but display a warning about the deprecation. Future Windows updates will handle the removal of all these features.

A list of everything that will soon vanish from Windows 11 and 10

WordPad

This basic text editor, which supports Rich-text format (RTF), will no longer be a part of Windows. You must migrate to another text editor, and Microsoft suggests Word (no surprises there).

But it would be nice to have a replacement for Wordpad that doesn’t force you to download a text editor when you install a fresh copy of Windows.

Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool

The legacy troubleshooting tools also get the axe. Most troubleshooting tools have been retired, and even if you launch them using the Command Prompt, you get a warning that they will be soon removed.

The Get Help is useful sometimes, but it will take a while to get accustomed to.

Cortana

This one’s a bit tricky because Microsoft only announced the deprecation of the Cortona app from Windows 11 and 10. You won’t be able to use Cortana if you’ve updated the app from the Microsoft Store.

However, it will still be available in Microsoft 365 as a productivity-boosting solution.

Steps Recorder

It is also a troubleshooting-focused app that lets you record images and text and combine them into a slideshow. You can share it with support technicians to help them understand your problem better.

But soon, you must rely on the updated Snipping tool and other apps that support screen recording (Xbox Game Bar and ClipChamp).

Windows Mixed Reality

Microsoft’s VR dream didn’t take off as expected. The result is the deprecation announcement of Windows Mixed Reality, Mixed Reality Portal app, and Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR and Steam VR Beta. It will withdraw all support after November 1, 2026.

Here are a few more tools going away:

• Tips app that explains new OS features and guides will be removed in the upcoming Windows releases.
• The new Voice Access app will replace Windows speech recognition.
• Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Edge and Office will no longer receive support.
• VBScript, an old scripting language, also gets the boot.

Most of these features do not blend in with the modern Windows design and look outdated or have better alternatives in Windows. We will surely miss Wordpad and MSDT tools, but we can’t say the same for others.

The post Microsoft is killing off several legacy features in Windows 11 and Windows 10 appeared first on Windows Latest

You will now see a GIF when using the Mail and Calendar app, prompting you to switch to the new Outlook. Click the Continue button to make the transition, or politely decline the offer by clicking the Not Now button. Even if you automatically migrate to the new Outlook app, you can revert to the old app.

The old Mail and Calendar app will remain on the Microsoft Store until December 31, 2024. After that, you have no choice but to accept the new Outlook app with open arms. If you are adamant, you can download the package installer and keep using the Mail and Calendar app after 2024, but it won’t receive updates or support.

What’s Good and Bad About the New Outlook?

Apart from the slightly revamped user interface and support for Windows 11 and 10, you can now pin emails or snooze them for later. Adding categories and scheduling emails is also possible.

The new Outlook is a web app that lacks some features supported by the existing Outlook and Mail apps.

You will find the Calendar and To-do list in the My Day section. It supports connecting Microsoft 365, Outlook, and third-party email accounts like Gmail and Yahoo. We faced no issues while logging in with a personal Microsoft account.

The new Outlook doesn’t support PST files, but Microsoft assures that it will do so in the future. You cannot use COM add-ins; offline support is missing from the picture. It also lacks POP3 support without indicating whether it will fix the flaw.

A connection error occurs if you launch the new Outlook app without an internet connection. So, not everything is possible with the new Outlook, and it won’t overshadow the desktop Outlook app.

Users are divided on the idea of the new Outlook app.

Some love the new UI and features, while others despise the idea of removing the Mail and Calendar app in favor of a web app that needs the internet, even to check existing emails. However, the decision is final, and you must migrate to the new app, whether you like it or not.

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Microsoft PC Manager app is the brainchild of the Microsoft China division, which was not a surprise because the first version was available in Mandarin, and the website was also in the same language. But now, it is available in the US and other regions via the Microsoft Store, and you can use it in both Windows 10 and 11.

Third-party PC cleaner tools have yet to get any appreciation from Microsoft. It even labeled them as harmful because they could accidentally delete crucial registry files in the name of cleaning up junk. It even branded CCleaner as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) in 2020. Ironically, CCleaner is still available on the Microsoft Store.

Hand-on With Microsoft PC Manager

Microsoft PC Manager combines the power of built-in Windows tools and introduces a few more to make it a complete package. The latest version packs a floating toolbar, which you can access instantly to boost your PC or launch other tools. Here are a few tools and what they do:

• PC Boost: It closes unnecessary processes and deletes the temporary file on your PC. There’s also a Smart Boost option, which becomes active when RAM usage shoots up or the temporary files grow bigger than 1 GB.
• Deep Cleanup: It detects old Windows updates files, recycle bin contents, web cache, and application cache. You can select what to remove or keep.
• Process: An in-app view of all the running processes on your PC. You can end any process within the app instead of opening Task Manager.
• Startup: You can manage all the apps that launch on startup. Similar to the Process feature, it reduced the effort of using Task Manager to do so.
• Large Files: Easily find all the large files on any drive without manually scouring the File Explorer.

Similarly, there are a few other tools like Taskabr Repair to restore it to its original state and Restore default apps to revert all the default app preferences. However, the suggestions compel you to use Microsoft apps like Edge.

Microsoft PC Manager is free to use, can blend in with the system theme, and has a lot of useful tools that won’t delete your system files. We don’t see any harm in using it, especially when CCleaner has earned a bad reputation in the past, and its free version doesn’t have all its features.

If you still cannot find it in your region, you can download the app from our Discord server.

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What exactly are “Instant Games”? In short, easy-to-play casual games that don’t require too much effort. You will find these Instant Games inside the Collection section in the  Store. Microsoft calls it “Instant Games,” but no such category exists in the Microsoft Store. Instead, the Collection section organizes all the games that support this feature.

All Instant Games have an orange lighting logo, making them easy to identify. Also, an Arcade option in the left-hand vertical menu in the Microsoft Store version 22312.1401.4.0 gave you direct access to these games. But in version 22312.1401.5.0, Microsoft removed the option.

Microsoft partnered with multiple game developers to bring this concept to fruition. Presently, there are 69 games that you can play without installation.

Microsoft intends to expand this collection and onboard more developers in the future. Giving a hands-on preview of what the games offer will help the users make more conscious decisions.

How to play Instant Games in Windows 11

First, upgrade the Microsoft Store app to the latest version from the library, and then try these steps:

1. Launch Microsoft Store. Click on the Gaming > Collections option.
2. Hover over a game and click on the Play Now button.
3. The game will launch in a separate Microsoft Store window.
4. To install a game, click on the View in Microsoft Store button.
5. Click on the Get button.

The games run fine and do not consume a lot of system resources. Don’t expect them to look or play like “Asphalt 8” or other graphically enticing titles, but still, they look and work fine for the most part. As expected, all games contain ads, which doesn’t paint a pretty picture.

Imagine watching a 30-second ad to retry a level when you can do so by simply exiting to the main menu. There is no close button to end a game session, but it does save you game progress.

So, you don’t have to start from square one when you relaunch the Microsoft Store. Even the Edge browser’s Sidebar offers a similar feature where you can play mini-games like these.

While the games are nostalgic and keep you hooked for some time, they can get extremely repetitive after a short while. Moreover, some games aren’t optimized for the big screen, open in portrait mode, and look bad.

Windows PC users won’t dive deep into the Microsoft Store to find and play these games because they can do so on their mobile phones, irrespective of the platform. There’s no alluring factor here that would compel a user to regularly play them.

The post Microsoft Store rolls out new ‘Arcade’ feature no-download games on Windows 11 appeared first on Windows Latest

It’s been more than two years since the release of Windows 11, but a huge chunk of users are still using Windows 10. Microsoft announced that Windows 10 will reach the end of support (EOS) on October 14, 2025, and slowly started urging users to shift to the latest version, i.e., Windows 11.

Despite offering a free upgrade, users prefer to stick to Windows 10, at least until the dreaded EOS date arrives. You can upgrade to Windows 11 or stick to Windows 10 by clicking the “Keep Windows 10” option.

1 of 4

As you can see in the above screenshots, Microsoft is pushing Windows 11 through a four-page long pop-up:

• First screen: Microsoft is telling you that your computer can switch to Windows 11 for free. You can still use your computer while it sets up the new system in the background, and it won’t take up much space.
• Second screen: Microsoft recommends switching to Windows 11 because it’s a smooth change. Your stuff will move with you, and the design is easy to get used to.
• Third screen: This message introduces Windows 11 as a fun upgrade with a new look, better security, and speed. It’s designed to be easy to use and helps you work and play better. They also note that some things from Windows 10 might not be in Windows 11.
• Fourth screen: Finally, Microsoft is telling you that you can stay with Windows 10 if you want, but they remind you that you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

But why aren’t users shifting to Windows 11, which promised to offer a lot (better UI, improved system apps, and full-blown AI assistant integration)?

For some, it is the lack of stability; for others, it is the lack of support for older hardware. Windows 11’s stern requirement of a TPM 2.0 chip obstructs the installation for many users.

Even if the PC has impressive specs, older or missing TPM chips deter them from using Windows 11.

There is a way around TPM and Secure Boot, but that beats the point of switching to the new operating system and not having the most-talked-about security features.

Windows 10 commands a ginormous user base

You might think that most users must have hopped to Microsoft’s latest and greatest OS offering after seeing the ads, but sadly, that isn’t the case. StatCounter reports that Windows 10 still has a 66.43 percent market share in contrast to Windows 11’s 27.82 percent market share.

However, Windows 11’s market share displayed a small increase from 26.63 to 27.82 percent after the September 2023 update, which integrated Copilot. Windows 10 showcased a steep downfall from 71.6 percent to 66.43 percent during that time, even after Microsoft released Copilot for it.

This small increase indicates that users are upgrading to Windows 11 (either by updating their PCs or allured by the feature add-ons).

However, 66.43 percent of users are still on Windows 10, so Microsoft might consider extending the EOS date. Otherwise, more than 60 percent of Windows users will receive no updates, which will cause a rise in security incidents.

We are still determining whether Microsoft will slow down the pop-ups or adopt a more coercive upgrade strategy. However, the ad menace aggravates many users who might even consider moving to alternatives like Linux when the time arrives.

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Two months back, in November 2023, Safari was in second place after Chrome. But its grip over desktop consumers took a deep plunge after that, giving more room for Edge to rise in the desktop market. Some of this growth is attributable to the multiple improvements in Edge and the integration of Copilot.

Microsoft Edge’s desktop share is 12.96% of the market, which is a growth of 1.06 percentage points compared to December. Apple’s Safari maintains the third position with an 8.83% share, experiencing a drop of 0.13. Firefox follows closely in fourth place at 7.57%, down by 0.05 points.

Opera rounds out the top five with a 3.23% share, witnessing the most substantial decline of 0.57.

Here’s a breakdown of StatCounter’s January 2024 desktop browser share report:

• Chrome has the largest market share, with 64.84% of users.
• Edge is the second most popular, with 12.96% of the market share.
• Safari has 8.83% of the market share.
• Firefox follows with 7.57%.
• Opera has a smaller share of 3.23%.
• Other browsers collectively make up 2.57% of the market share.

While Microsoft Edge is catching up on desktops, it’s not doing well in the overall market share, which includes mobiles and tablets. According to StatCounter’s all-platforms report, Edge is still stuck at the third spot with a 5.36 percent market share, while Safari hasn’t budged from the second spot with an 18.82 percent market share.

The mobile and tablet market share numbers aren’t impressive, but both show small yet steady growth. The main reason behind this is the massive dominance of Chrome, Safari, and Samsung Internet, which appeal to many Android and iPhone users.

Microsoft Edge is slowly getting better

Thanks to the new features, Microsoft Edge could gain more market share in the coming months.

For Example, Microsoft Edge 121, now available for the Stable channel, added support for AVIF and AV1 file formats to speed up page load time.

Similarly, new alerts about the latest browser updates have been moved to the Browser Essentials section. If you haven’t noticed, the “heart” icon on the Edge toolbar displays Performance and Safety cards.

There’s a new E-tree feature in the Wallet that aims to increase awareness about the environment. Microsoft joined hands with the Eden Reforestation Projects and will plant a tree on your behalf after you collect 10000 points in your wallet. All you need to do is complete daily tasks and achieve the 10000 points.

Here’s a list of all other improvements in Edge 121:

• Microsoft has enabled a new Website Typo Protection policies feature that will alert users when they mistype a popular domain to prevent them from visiting and entering their data on a malicious page.
• Administrators can also add organizational branding using the Entra IDs. They can tweak the logo and add profile names and colors to make the profiles more distinguishable. Apart from this, six new security updates have been introduced with this version.

Edge mobile’s extension support could improve its market share on Android

Additionally, Microsoft is planning to take on Google Chrome on Android with extension support.

As spotted by some users, Edge for Android is testing extension support. You can add popular extensions to block ads, modify page layouts, and customize it like the desktop version. Thus, it will join the small league of mobile browsers that offer extension support.

It’s worth noting the feature hasn’t shipped to the Stable channel, but when it does, it will surely lure some users away from Chrome which has neglected extensions on mobile until now.

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