Towards the end of March, Microsoft released build 22000.593 (KB5011563) as an optional "C" update in preview for Windows 11. Although it packed a bunch of improvements, the highlight of this release was that Microsoft finally made it a bit easier to switch default browsers in Windows 11.
As noticed by Bleeping Computer, the latest Patch Tuesday release (KB5012592 / OS Build 22000.613) includes all the changes present in the KB5011563 preview build, which means that enhancements to default browser switching are now generally available for all Windows 11 users.
As a reminder, the launch version of Windows 11 introduced a cumbersome way to switch default browsers, by requiring users to manually change the association for each file extension such as HTML and PDF. This move received a lot of criticism by the public considering Windows 10 allowed you to switch the default browser using a single click.
With its optional Windows 11 build last month, Microsoft made some improvements in this space by allowing you to change your default browser for some core file extensions such as HTML using a single click. However, it still does not switch the defaults for all extensions and Edge still remains the default app for opening PDF, SHTML, SVG, FTP, and other web-related files unless you manually change all file associations one by one.
Although Mozilla has appreciated the changes so far, it still thinks that a lot more can be done in this space. Meanwhile, Vivaldi wants the EU to step in and investigate Microsoft for malpractice and anticompetitive behavior.
Regardless, the existing improvements, previously only available via the optional update, can now be received through the latest Patch Tuesday update (KB5012592 / OS Build 22000.613) for Windows 11. Since this update carries forward other changes from last month"s preview build too, check out the changelog for that here as well. And if you want to find out how default browser switching has been made easier in Windows 11, check out our dedicated piece here.