Will Windows 11 Widgets Finally Open in Chrome? The Answer Might Surprise European Users

Can Windows 11 Widgets Actually Follow Your Browser Choice?

Windows 11 users in Europe just got something many have wanted for years. Microsoft changed how widgets work in their system. Now, if you live in the European Economic Area, your news and weather widgets will open in whatever browser you choose. Not just Edge anymore.

This change affects people in 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. It’s a big deal because Microsoft used to force everything to open in Edge, even when you set Chrome or Firefox as your main browser.

Why This Change Happened

The Digital Markets Act made Microsoft do this. This new European law says big tech companies can’t force users to use their apps. Microsoft had to follow this rule or face penalties.

Before this update, clicking any widget link would open Edge. Even if you never used Edge. Even if you hated Edge. This annoyed millions of users who preferred other browsers.

The law specifically targets what it calls “gatekeepers” – companies that control how people access the internet. Microsoft’s Windows system counts as one of these gatekeepers.

How to Get Widgets Working with Your Browser

If you live in Europe, here’s what you need to do:

1. Open the Microsoft Store on your computer
2. Go to Downloads and Updates
3. Look for updates and install the “Start Experiences App” update
4. Set your preferred browser as default in Windows Settings
5. Restart your computer if needed
6. Click on any widget news or weather item

That’s it. Your widgets should now open in Chrome, Firefox, or whatever browser you choose.

What Actually Changed Under the Hood

Microsoft expanded which file types respect your browser choice. Before, only basic web links (.http and .https) would sometimes follow your settings. Now it includes .htm and .html files too.

This means more than just widgets got better. Links from your lock screen and desktop also respect your browser choice now.

The change works even if you don’t sign into a Microsoft account on your computer. This could bring more visitors to MSN news since some people avoid logging in but still want to read news.

The Catch: Europe Only

Here’s the frustrating part for everyone else. This only works in Europe. If you live in the United States, Canada, Australia, or anywhere outside the European Economic Area, you’re still stuck with Edge for widgets.

Microsoft hasn’t said if they’ll bring this feature to other countries. They probably won’t unless other governments create similar laws.

Workarounds for Non-European Users

People outside Europe have found ways around this problem:

• MSEdgeRedirect: A small program that redirects Edge links to your chosen browser
• Registry tweaks: Technical users sometimes modify Windows registry settings, though results vary
• EdgeDeflector: Used to work but Microsoft blocked it

These tools require technical knowledge and Microsoft might block them in future updates.

What This Means for Widget Users

More people might actually use widgets now. Many users avoided them because they didn’t want Edge opening every time they clicked something.

Microsoft is putting more effort into widgets with AI-powered feeds. They want people visiting MSN for news and weather. Making widgets work with any browser might help achieve this goal.

The Bigger Picture

This change represents something important. When governments create the right rules, tech companies will respect user choices. European users now get real browser freedom that others don’t have.

Microsoft made similar changes to other Windows features for European users:

• No more constant prompts to use Edge
• Ability to uninstall Microsoft Store
• Third-party search providers work automatically
• Default browsers get pinned to the taskbar

Will Other Regions Get These Features?

Probably not anytime soon. Microsoft only makes these user-friendly changes when forced by law. Other countries would need to create similar regulations.

The Digital Markets Act shows that government action can improve technology for regular people. Without it, Microsoft would likely keep forcing Edge on widget users.

For now, European users enjoy better browser choice while everyone else waits. This creates an odd situation where your location determines how well your computer respects your preferences.

The widget update proves that when companies must compete fairly, users win. It’s just unfortunate that geographic borders still limit these improvements.