Microsoft Intentions To Shift Chrome Market, Force Users To Open Links With Edge Browser

JAKARTA - Microsoft is again trying to get rid of rivals with all browser links from Outlook and Teams now open on Edge, ignoring default browser settings on Personal Computer (PC).

This move was announced by the company through the Microsoft 365 support page. Changes will only apply to Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices, meaning users using Macs will continue to open Outlook links in their default browsers.

While it won't affect default browser settings in Windows because it doesn't affect links opened from other apps and services.

However, the new move is another part of Microsoft 365 and Windows that completely ignores the default browser options to open links in the company's own app.

Microsoft has done the same with the Widget system in Windows 11 and even the search experience, where users will be forced to enter Edge if they click on the link, even though they have another browser set as the default.

"This change is designed to create an easier way for Outlook and Microsoft Teams users to reduce the transfer of tasks in windows and tabs to help stay focused," said Senior Communications Director at Microsoft Katy Ayer in a statement to The Verge, quoted Thursday, May 4.

By opening a browser link on Microsoft Edge, the original message in Outlook or Teams can also be seen with web content to access, read, and respond to messages easily, using a suitable authentication profile. Customers have the option to disable this feature in the settings," he added.

To open the link using a browser that is set as the default in Windows Settings and if it's not Edge, users must visit File click Option Continue then click Link Handling in Outlook and select another browser.

Laportam TechSpot said the changes had disrupted many Microsoft 365 system admins and users, who vented their frustration on social media.

Some show, the company also ignores default browser settings when handling links from elsewhere in Windows 11, such as the Start Menu search experience, which opens the output link on Edge regardless of default browser settings on the computer. This is another example of how Microsoft fails to appreciate user choices.