Unable to set EdgeDeflector as the default for microsoft-edge: links (not shown as an option in Default apps)

[gnpaone]

I recently updated to build 22494 (windows dev build) and edgedeflector not being set as default in settings and it's not opening preferred browser anymore and this app is not even in the list of "MICROSOFT-EDGE" link opener. I reinstalled and followed all the troubleshooting steps given by you, still facing the problem. Please help!

[Jonstep101010]

yup, same case here.

[AlexisLust]

same case here

[da2x]

I’m on it.

[da2x]

Microsoft has made changes in Windows 11 build 22949 to block EdgeDeflector and other apps from handling microsoft-edge: links. I've had some backup plans for such an eventuality, but Microsoft has been more aggressive than I predicted. I don't have any non-destructive workarounds at this time.

[gnpaone]

Microsoft has made changes in Windows 11 build 22949 to block EdgeDeflector and other apps from handling microsoft-edge: links. I've had some backup plans for such an eventuality, but Microsoft has been more aggressive than I predicted. I don't have any non-destructive workarounds at this time.

Ohh, It's bad that Microsoft is sabotaging user preferences, I use Edgedeflector from so long and hoping that you will come with a solution soon ☺️

[sagudev]

According to article you can still select Edge insiders for handlers. So how does the Edge registers itself as MS Edge? (Observing Edge insiders instalation might give us a solution). If we could register other app (egg. EdgeDeflector) as Edge in the system, then system will allow to choose EdgeDeflector as microsoft-edge:// handler.

[linux-leo]

what if we just replace the msedge.exe with a programm that can accept the url and redirects it to another browser? It would probably turn into EdgeRemover. But people that use this don't plan on using edge anyway.

[anaisbetts]

You probably don't need to do any of this stuff, use Image File Execution Options's Debugger key to set the "Debugger" of msedge.exe to EdgeDeflector. You get the path that msedge.exe was called with and you can instead execute whatever browser you want.

[SerraraFluttershy]

Couldn't you also just rename msedge.exe to something else and place a new EXE with its name in its place?

[gnpaone]

Couldn't you also just rename msedge.exe to something else and place a new EXE with its name in its place?

No it's not possible, each program is paired with its own program id and hash and is registered by Windows so Windows checks these details before assigning this app to open something to avoid duplicates/malware/unauthorised access etc. In 22494 Windows locked microsoft-edge link to use edge (and it's other edge builds) via program id and hash so the programs matching these details only can perform the actions, it's read-only so can't change, if tried to change then computer won't open as it fast verifies on every login

[Wolfhound905]

You made it onto the tech news XD: https://youtu.be/2EyLR42Ko6I?t=18

[Suncoast-Cyclist]

I just noticed that Deflector is still working on my Windows 11 Dev preview system after updating to build 22499.1010. Apparently Microsoft is not resetting the current association back to Edge when you upgrade. I no longer have the option of changing it to anything but one of the Edge browser versions, but as long as I leave everything alone, Deflector continues to work. It does give me the option of selecting the version of Deflector that is available for purchase in the Microsoft Store.

update: I spoke too soon. I just tried to get deflector to open one of the links in the Widgets section and got the attached picture. I could have sworn it worked yesterday immediately after I updated.

It does look like deflector is still the default for MICROSOFT-EDGE links.

[Smart123s]

It does give me the option of selecting the version of Deflector that is available for purchase in the Microsoft Store.

If that's really the case, maybe an .appx package of ED could work, even if it's side-loaded.

Although I'm pretty sure MS will eventually fix it as well.

[mareksipos93]

Microsoft is breaking a law there by forcing users to use their browser. Lawsuit imminent.

[Spectroxx]

Microsoft is breaking a law there by forcing users to use their browser. Lawsuit imminent.

The EU might have some strong opinions about forcing users to use Edge

[Joey-Destroyah]

Microsoft has made changes in Windows 11 build 22949 to block EdgeDeflector and other apps from handling microsoft-edge: links. I've had some backup plans for such an eventuality, but Microsoft has been more aggressive than I predicted. I don't have any non-destructive workarounds at this time.

Ohh, It's bad that Microsoft is sabotaging user preferences, I use Edgedeflector from so long and hoping that you will come with a solution soon ☺️

Well, at least you can choose not to upgrade to windows 11. Or if you are lucky enough to not meet hardware requirements, just wait til he fixes the issue.

[CrimsonXMC]

Microsoft has made changes in Windows 11 build 22949 to block EdgeDeflector and other apps from handling microsoft-edge: links. I've had some backup plans for such an eventuality, but Microsoft has been more aggressive than I predicted. I don't have any non-destructive workarounds at this time.

Ohh, It's bad that Microsoft is sabotaging user preferences, I use Edgedeflector from so long and hoping that you will come with a solution soon ☺️

Well, at least you can choose not to upgrade to windows 11. Or if you are lucky enough to not meet hardware requirements, just wait til he fixes the issue.

i wouldn't be surprised if ms backports this to windows 10 in the near future

[Spectroxx]

Let's hope not. I'm sure there's a way around to this issue..? right...?

[Joey-Destroyah]

Not sure, m8. If this does happen, I'm moving to Linux.

…

On Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 2:35 PM Spectrox ***@***.***> wrote: Let's hope not. I'm sure there's a way around to this issue..? right...? — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#141 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AO7I6JRNGIDS44JM4VH3IBTUNKLR3ANCNFSM5HR77PFQ> .

[trumad]

Tangenttially related, Edge will now include bloatware which adds a "buy now pay later" drop-down to all payment options on all online storefronts. Are they making more of an effort to lock people in to edge so that they can push them towards predatory loans like this?

[ZaLiTHkA]

i wouldn't be surprised if ms backports this to windows 10 in the near future

looking at #151, I'd say this is already happening.. 😢

[fariage]

Traumatized =(
Please make EdgeDeflect work again...

[HarshalKudale]

I switched to MSEdgeRedirect.

Good choice

[2br-2b]

Is there a way to change registry values to make EdgeDeflector the default choice (even if it can't be done via a gui)?

[eturk1]

I switched to MSEdgeRedirect.

I switched to MSEdgeRedirect.

Thanks, It works great!
Just use "active" mode because the default mode was broken for me and opened hundreds of browser tabs.
Got immediate response on my bug report though.

[dnet890]

@eturk1 it is still in beta and it is still usable for Win10. But, don't expect it too much though.

[webluke]

I just tried on Windows 10 (19044.1415), and my Microsoft-Edge is all confused still opens Edge, but I must have set it to Brave at some point, but MS is doing some trickery.

[peterdsharpe]

Hi all,

I think I have a fix that works in the interim to redirect Edge links.

By force-uninstalling Edge, I find that on my machine (latest Windows 11 Home 22000.376), links get redirected through Chrome (my default browser).

To force-uninstall Edge, follow the steps here. Copy-pasting from the link:

Removing Microsoft Edge in Command Prompt is a two-step process. First, you need to navigate to the correct folder using this command:

cd %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge\Application\xx\Installer

When entering it, substitute xx for the current version number of Microsoft Edge installed on your PC. You can find that information in the ‘About’ section of Edge’s settings.

Your Command Prompt will now change to show that you’re in the folder you navigated to above. Now, enter this command:

setup --uninstall --force-uninstall --system-level

There’s no restart involved, Microsoft Edge will now be removed from your system. You may still see it in the Start Menu, but it won’t open anything and the annoying ‘Restore recommended’ for web browsing in the Settings app will have gone.

On my machine, after uninstalling Edge, links that would previously open in Edge now open in whatever my default browser is. (In my case, Chrome.)

[Joey-Destroyah]

Antitrust maybe

…

On Wed, Jan 19, 2022, 9:22 AM okunamayanad ***@***.***> wrote: Is it legal to prevent people from using other browsers? I don't think so — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#141 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AO7I6JVSWX24HHDD35X44W3UW3CJ7ANCNFSM5HR77PFQ> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[KYROKOTEI]

#141 (comment)

done it but wont search for anything put in the start menu. kinda frustrating but whatever :/

[Hassanjwr6]

#141 (comment)

done it but wont search for anything put in the start menu. kinda frustrating but whatever :/

I face same as your issue/problem , I am on win10 build 19044.1466
First I nstalled //EdgeDeflector_install.exe, no luck it redirects me to M-Edge, Prior to this problem I just uninsalled Firefox and deleted everything related to, %appdata%, Roaming , Local , every Mozila file, Because my Firefox behaving laggy and broken some times in websites such (youtube)
Seconed I uninstalled M-Edge, then tried to type anything on Search/cortana then nothing happens, it should redirect me to firefox my defult browser, tried to restart my PC several time no luck.
Also, the window that prompting me to choose Edge-def. did not show at all, even when i change the defult app
*Settings >> Default Apps >> Web browser (Firefox)
*// // Choose default apps by protocol , kept every M-edge same as what it is, even if I attempt to change it is only prompting M-Edge to me and "Look for an app ...".

[Solution]
I went to redownload Edge again https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge
tried to type on cortana/search it redirected me back to firefox.
Also went to *Settings >> Default Apps >> Choose default apps by protocol
Firefox is the defult on protocol such HTTP, HTTPS which was not.

In my opinon, I think there is some problem of priority in regestery that leads prevent any change of default app of web browser.

tl;dr
I uninstalled M-edge, installed EdgeDeflector, Reinstall M-edge , Problem solved.

Hope this Fixes your problem.

[NilsMoller]

#141 (comment)
done it but wont search for anything put in the start menu. kinda frustrating but whatever :/

I face same as your issue/problem , I am on win10 build 19044.1466 First I nstalled //EdgeDeflector_install.exe, no luck it redirects me to M-Edge, Prior to this problem I just uninsalled Firefox and deleted everything related to, %appdata%, Roaming , Local , every Mozila file, Because my Firefox behaving laggy and broken some times in websites such (youtube) Seconed I uninstalled M-Edge, then tried to type anything on Search/cortana then nothing happens, it should redirect me to firefox my defult browser, tried to restart my PC several time no luck. Also, the window that prompting me to choose Edge-def. did not show at all, even when i change the defult app *Settings >> Default Apps >> Web browser (Firefox) *// // Choose default apps by protocol , kept every M-edge same as what it is, even if I attempt to change it is only prompting M-Edge to me and "Look for an app ...".

[Solution] I went to redownload Edge again https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge tried to type on cortana/search it redirected me back to firefox. Also went to *Settings >> Default Apps >> Choose default apps by protocol Firefox is the defult on protocol such HTTP, HTTPS which was not.

In my opinon, I think there is some problem of priority in regestery that leads prevent any change of default app of web browser.

tl;dr I uninstalled M-edge, installed EdgeDeflector, Reinstall M-edge , Problem solved.

Hope this Fixes your problem.

sadly, this did not work for me (on the same windows 10 build)

[timstjiang]

Having the same issue on Win 10 Pro 19044.1526.
I explored some options such as SetUserFTA. It was able to change the default protocol to chrome, but pages wouldn't open and Windows throws an error.
Is there a way to find the progid of EdgeDeflector? Since that is what SetUserFTA uses to set default apps and protocols.
Edit: I was able to manually set EdgeDeflector as the default app, but unfortunately Windows still gives an error through this method.

[zhufucdev]

You probably don't need to do any of this stuff, use Image File Execution Options's Debugger key to set the "Debugger" of msedge.exe to EdgeDeflector. You get the path that msedge.exe was called with and you can instead execute whatever browser you want.

So I implemented it as a program here

[NilsMoller]

Holy shit this actually works. I can actually use Windows the way I want to again. THANK YOU

[Eagle3386]

@zhufucdev Doesn't work here - steps to reproduce:

1. Downloaded EdgeRemover.exe from your repo's releases tab (tagged as polished).
2. Put the application next to EdgeDeflector (C:\Users\[MyUserName]\AppData\Local\Programs\EdgeDeflector).
3. Opened PowerShell (as admin), "cd'ed" into aforementioned directory & ran .\EdgeRemover.exe.
4. Got the "success message box":
   
5. Confirmed that the registry's value is set correctly:
   
6. Went into settings, default apps by protocol, only to see 2 selectable Edge entries:
   
7. Even set all Edge-related items back to the entry with Edge's icon.

Yet, the result is always the same: no Edge or any other browser (-tab) is launched - neither from taskbar's news flyout, nor EdgeDeflector's "test link", microsoft-edge:https://www.ctrl.blog, nor any other Edge-forced link I could find & try.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

[zhufucdev]

I am currently on Windows 11 and failed to reproduce your issue. Hence I need more information. Is there a edge-remover.lock file under the EdgeDeflector folder?
Besides, it is a different project, independent of EdgeDeflector. Hence all problems were supposed to be under its own issues section