I'm under no illusions that Linux is a viable alternative for everyone, but if you're just using your computer as a web terminal and light gaming system, a decent Linux system + Steam makes for a very usable option these days.

I have exactly one computer in my house that has Windows on it. It was provided by my employer, and I turn it on maybe once every two weeks or so, for special-purpose activities that can't be done on my Linux laptop. And most of the time, for most activities my Linux laptop is the clearly superior performer - it's not even close, despite their similar hardware specs.

I don't think everyone should - or can - switch. But if you've got an old beater laptop gathering dust, try popping Ubuntu or something on it, see how it performs. See if it's something you could legitimately switch to full or part time.

"Microsoft forced to stop forcing Windows 11 users into Edge in EU countries", would be a more descriptive title.

now do the rest of the world.

how do I set my version to European

That's nice for the EU folks, elsewhere Microsoft has doubled down on this practice.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/08/microsoft-rolls-out-then-pauses-pop-up-that-asked-chrome-users-to-switch-to-bing/

What setting can I put in to make Windows think its in the EU?

In America, software owns you

Ah damn! I missed out as I am using Pop OS. SWORRY!!

Goddammit, now I'm even more disappointed in the UK doing a Brexit....

I didn't even want the windows search results to include web links in the first place....

Too late, I already shoved Linux Mint into my new gaming laptop and I'm glad I felt forced to do it, I'm having my first serious dive into Linux and I'm thrilled about my newfound project! I was so surprised over how very little knowledge you needed to have games running these days.

Round and round and round.

It's the same all over again. MS got a slap on their wrists with the browser choice tool they had to introduce in Windows 7.

Then everyone forgot about it and they started forcing Edge on users. Now they get a slap on their wrist again and the same will happen in another 10 years.

Don't get me wrong, it's really awesome and I'm glad that EU regulations actually have a impact. But I still wish for more, more permanent and stricter anti monopoly laws.

Now do cross-platform messaging next!

Too late. I work with Microsoft professionally, but I'm about to install Linux Mint privately.

This is the best summary I could come up with:

Windows 11 continued this trend, with search still forcing users into Edge and a new dedicated widgets area that also ignores the default browser setting.

Microsoft’s Teams changes are designed to avoid further antitrust scrutiny, after the European Commission opened a formal antitrust investigation into Microsoft’s bundling of its Teams software with the Office productivity suite in July.

The EU’s investigation was sparked by a complaint from rival Slack, which alleged that Microsoft had “illegally tied” its Microsoft Teams product to Office and is “force installing it for millions, blocking its removal, and hiding the true cost to enterprise customers.”

Microsoft initially made it difficult to switch default browsers in Windows 11, triggering complaints from rivals before the company eventually backed down.

It’s hard to imagine that Microsoft is making these Windows 11 changes specifically in EU countries out of choice, though.

Platforms like Windows will be required to meet a slew of interoperability and competition rules, including allowing users “to easily un-install pre-installed apps or change default settings on operating systems, virtual assistants, or web browsers that steer them to the products and services of the gatekeeper and provide choice screens for key services.”

The original article contains 479 words, the summary contains 193 words. Saved 60%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!

Yay. Still have removed it forcefully.