Microsoft has announced that it will be making significant changes to its Windows operating system specifically for users in the European Union (EU). The tech giant will be offering a version of Windows 11 that allows EU residents to uninstall built-in apps such as Bing and Edge, a move that comes as Microsoft reportedly gives up its fight to obtain exemptions from the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
While EU residents will now have the option to uninstall Bing and Edge, Windows users outside the EU will not be able to enjoy this flexibility. This decision by Microsoft reflects the company’s compliance with the new requirements set by the EU.
In addition to the option to uninstall certain built-in apps, Microsoft is also adding interoperability features to Windows 11. These features will enable third-party vendors, such as Google, to offer their own web search within Windows Search. This move aims to enhance user experience and provide more choices for EU residents when it comes to web search providers.
Another notable change is that EU residents will have more control over how their data synchronizes between local systems and Microsoft accounts. This gives them increased privacy and the ability to manage their data according to their preferences.
However, it’s not all positive news for EU residents. As part of these updates, the recently rebranded Bing Chat, now known as Copilot, will not be available in the European Economic Area (EEA). This means that EU users will not have access to the features and functionalities of Copilot.
According to Microsoft, these changes will be rolled out gradually over the next few weeks and will eventually be applied to Windows 10 as well. The company aims to fully comply with the EU’s new rules, which are set to come into effect in March 2024.
These updates highlight Microsoft’s commitment to meeting the regulatory requirements of the EU and providing EU users with more control and choices regarding their software and data. The changes in Windows 11 will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the user experience for EU residents.
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