Microsoft Edge's greatest rival isn't Google Chrome. It's EdgeDeflector, an app developed by Daniel Aleksandersen that thwarts Windows from force-opening Edge and launches your default browser instead. EdgeDeflector is an oft-recommended program among Windows users who are frustrated with Edge launching without their consent - and Microsoft is determined to stop its momentum.

Digital Trends highlights that a new Windows 11 build within the Insider Program has become blocking apps that obstruct Windows' interception mechanism that changes users' browsers, not to mention, that includes EdgeDeflector.

Microsoft cracks recorded on apps that threaten Edge

As we mentioned in Why I personally don't like Windows 11 and our Windows 11 review, the new OS causes it to be hard for users to alter their default browser. In addition, some users expressed frustration with links in the Widgets app opening with Edge.

Like a remedy to this issue, many Windows users recommend EdgeDeflector. To be able to understand EdgeDeflector's function, you must know how Microsoft "force opens" Edge.

The Redmond-based tech giant swaps out links within the Windows shell with "microsoft-edge:" instead of using "https:". Edge may be the sole internet browser that recognizes these links, so although Chrome might be set as the default, Edge will launch instead.

EdgeDeflector thwarts this by rewriting the intercepted backlinks to "https:" - and Microsoft isn't having it. "Something changed between Windows 11 builds 22483 and 22494," EdgeDeflector's developer Aleksandersen said on Ctrl Blog. "You can no longer bypass Microsoft Edge using apps like EdgeDeflector."

With the new Windows 11 build, even with EdgeDeflector installed, the OS silently blocks the app and continues to launch Edge. "Microsoft doesn't even bother throwing up the 'An app default was reset' error message," Aleksandersen said.

While Aleksandersen could implement workarounds to bypass Windows 11's new block feature, he said it would cause destructive changes towards the OS. As such, he's no plans to update EdgeDeflector.

EdgeDeflector's creator concluded his scathing article by advising Windows users to change to Linux. "Microsoft still charges 200 USD for a Windows license while simultaneously filling the operating system with ads and crapware," Aleksandersen lamented.