Microsoft experiments constantly with Windows 10, occasionally adding new features here and there to provide better experiences and functionality. More often than not, these new features make Insiders — Microsoft's dedicated group of beta testers — pretty happy. Not so much now, though.
Links In Mail App Will Only Open In Edge
Microsoft has just revealed that it plans on testing a change within the native Mail app on Windows 10. When a user clicks a link within the app, it will open in Microsoft Edge instead of the user's preferred internet browser. Yes, that means it'll bypass the user's set default browser. Microsoft will simply pretend it doesn't exist and instead open links using Edge.
The Verge calls it a "ridiculous change" and notes that this practice is similar to when the company forced Cortana users to open Bing search results in Edge instead of their preferred browser.
Microsoft justifies the change by claiming that Edge "provides the best, most secure and consistent experience on Windows 10 and across your devices" and that it "enables you to be more productive, organized and creative without sacrificing your battery life or security."
By contrast, clicking links inside Apple's native Mail app still launches the user's browser of choice instead of forcefully opening up Safari.
Microsoft: Please Use Edge
Microsoft has been aggressively trying to encourage Chrome users to switch to Edge, but this one is probably the most aggressive move thus far. In the past, Microsoft has given users a prompt when trying to install Chrome, published videos claiming that Chrome is a battery and performance hog, and even sometimes displayed ads inside Windows 10 as a way to promote Edge. Whether any of these efforts worked is unclear, though. Chrome remains the top browser on desktops.
To be fair, Edge is a pretty good browser, as many reviews claim, but those who like using Edge have probably already set it as their default browsers. The new change will simply force Edge to users who don't want to use Edge, and that's what people will most likely find annoying.
Thankfully, because the change is merely part of the Windows 10 Insider Program, there's a chance Microsoft changes its mind and never implement it widely once a stable Windows 10 update rolls out. In its blog post, Microsoft encourages users to provide them feedback on the new changes. Insiders definitely will provide them lots of feedback on this one. If it gets enough hate, Microsoft will probably cancel the change altogether.
