After shouting, Microsoft pushes to pause on unsolicited Windows 10 web application installations

On Saturday, I pointed out how Microsoft Mandatory restart of Windows 10 systems to install unwanted web applications The latest proof that you do not own your own Windows PC. Today, the company says this is somewhat wrong – and the “migration” that brought web applications to your Start menu this way will be suspended.

First, Microsoft says On the edge, The idea is that any website you install in the Start menu will launch on Microsoft Edge, and aims to turn those shortcuts into more visible tiles now. But – Microsoft calls it a bug – this change also changed its current Microsoft Office Web shortcuts to PWA web applications. Edge is something you can usually do from within the browser, but it’s not something that happens automatically.

Screenshot: Sean Hollister / The Edge

Microsoft says it actually follows Office Web Shortcuts in the Start menu from May 2019. Assuming the procedure is correct, I can see how the chain of these events could have unfolded in a way that Microsoft would not have done if Microsoft had given the benefit of the doubt. t project.

But that doesn’t really solve any of my previous concerns:

• Why did Microsoft use my Start menu as a free ad for its office products, web shortcut or not?
• Instead of valuing my own default selection browser, why do these shortcuts shoot Microsoft Edge?
• Why does Microsoft believe I have the right to forcibly restart my computer? What’s so complicated about this update?

Microsoft has clearly heard some dissatisfaction, and it is reacting to it today. But it is unclear whether anything will change as a result. Microsoft still advertises in your Start menu with programs that you actually have installed, giving them premium space without asking in your Start menu, which will still open in Microsoft’s own Edge browser, which will not allow you to remove them, and – most annoyingly – the company will not pay attention to the practice of forced updates and restarts.

Update 11:09 PM ET: Added extra clarity on what the company said to Microsoft and what it says it does not want to happen.