The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from this
link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here: <https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On Sun, 24 May 2026 21:30:00 +0100, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from this link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here: <https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

Are you lost?

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

JJ wrote on 5/24/2026 3:31 PM:

On Sun, 24 May 2026 21:30:00 +0100, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in
Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from this
link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here:
<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

Are you lost?

Maybe his co-pilot screwed up.



--- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On Sun, 5/24/2026 5:22 PM, Hank Rogers wrote:

JJ wrote on 5/24/2026 3:31 PM:

On Sun, 24 May 2026 21:30:00 +0100, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in
Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from this >>> link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here:
<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

Are you lost?

Maybe his co-pilot screwed up.

Example of the same text.

https://www.ubuntuupdates.org/package/microsoft_edge/stable/main/base/microsoft-edge-dev

Chromium or Chrome are likely also available on Linux,
and Microsoft-Edge has no particular attraction for Linux people.
Chromium might be available as a .deb, while Chrome
would likely need a PPA added to the OS repository configuration.
That's how Google Earth gets into Linux, is via a PPA entry,
as the licensing classification would likely prevent it from
shipping on a Linux ISO.

Paul

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 5/24/26 6:16 PM, Paul wrote:

On Sun, 5/24/2026 5:22 PM, Hank Rogers wrote:

JJ wrote on 5/24/2026 3:31 PM:

On Sun, 24 May 2026 21:30:00 +0100, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in >>>> Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from this >>>> link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here:
<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

Are you lost?

Maybe his co-pilot screwed up.

Example of the same text.

https://www.ubuntuupdates.org/package/microsoft_edge/stable/main/base/microsoft-edge-dev

Chromium or Chrome are likely also available on Linux,
and Microsoft-Edge has no particular attraction for Linux people.
Chromium might be available as a .deb, while Chrome
would likely need a PPA added to the OS repository configuration.
That's how Google Earth gets into Linux, is via a PPA entry,
as the licensing classification would likely prevent it from
shipping on a Linux ISO.

Paul

https://www.google.com/chrome/
If you go here and pick download you get a choice of two deb files.

--
Mint 22.3, Thunderbird 140.11.0esr, Firefox 151.0
Alan K.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 25/05/2026 00:01, Alan K. wrote:

https://www.google.com/chrome/
If you go here and pick download you get a choice of two deb files.

If you would prefer a direct download link, you can use this one:

https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb.

From a Linux terminal, enter the following command:

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb.

This will get you the latest stable version.

The method is the same for RPM files, but I don't use those operating
systems.

To install DEB files on a modern Ubuntu or Linux system, simply
double-click on the file and the system will install it using the APT
manager. This is very similar to Windows .exe files. Things have become simpler these days!.

According to Scott Hanselman, who has been promoted to VP at Microsoft,
Linux has gained 450 million new users since January this year,
prompting Microsoft to make the Windows account requirement optional in
26H2.

Monday, 25 May 2026 @ 02:30:00



















--- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 24/05/2026 21:30, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from this link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here: <https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

On my W11 computer, the bl**dy thing keeps setting itself as my default browser without my permission! How can it stop it from doing that?

Whenver it happens I need to go into Setting and set the default app for
a whole host of file types back to Opera. I'm not a happy bunny!
--
Cheers,
Roger

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 25/05/2026 13:00, Alan K. wrote:

On 5/25/26 7:21 AM, Roger Mills wrote:

On 24/05/2026 21:30, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in
Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from this >>> link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-
edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here:
<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-
edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

On my W11 computer, the bl**dy thing keeps setting itself as my default
browser without my permission! How can it stop it from doing that?

Whenver it happens I need to go into Setting and set the default app for
a whole host of file types back to Opera. I'm not a happy bunny!

You are hijacking this thread for a new question.
Please start a new post.ÿÿ Proper etiquette.

I disagree. The thread is about the features of MS Edge compared with
other browsers. My post is about one particularly nasty "feature" - and
is not OT at all. Are you the self-appointed policeman for this NG?
--
Cheers,
Roger

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 05/25/2026 9:35 AM, Roger Mills wrote:

On 25/05/2026 13:00, Alan K. wrote:

On 5/25/26 7:21 AM, Roger Mills wrote:

On 24/05/2026 21:30, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in >>>> Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from
this
link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-
edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here:
<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-
edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

On my W11 computer, the bl**dy thing keeps setting itself as my default
browser without my permission! How can it stop it from doing that?

Whenver it happens I need to go into Setting and set the default app for >>> a whole host of file types back to Opera. I'm not a happy bunny!

You are hijacking this thread for a new question.
Please start a new post.ÿÿ Proper etiquette.

I disagree. The thread is about the features of MS Edge compared with
other browsers. My post is about one particularly nasty "feature" - and
is not OT at all. Are you the self-appointed policeman for this NG?

It is a bit of a direction change, availability for different o/s and a reference to benefits, not necessarily features.

But since, you raised the issue(it's still on-topic w/r Edge)
I've three profiles on my Windows 11 Pro device.
One MSA profile with Edge as the default browser
One Local profile with Opera as the default browser
One MSA profile with Chrome as the default browser
- all three profiles have all three browsers available(installed)

Each of those profiles and default browser was set on Windows 10 Pro
in 2016. Windows 10 Pro was upgraded to Win11 Pro in 2021.

Edge, Chrome and Opera in all 3 profiles have been routinely updated automatically(in the background) when newer versions are released.

Not one of them has lost it default browser setting.

i.e. If Opera is being thrown to the side and Edge set as the default,
some setting or method of setting default browser and files is broken or corrupt(Opera or Windows default apps cache).


--
...w­¤?ñ?¤

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 25/05/2026 16:39, ....winston wrote:

On 05/25/2026 9:35 AM, Roger Mills wrote:

On 25/05/2026 13:00, Alan K. wrote:

On 5/25/26 7:21 AM, Roger Mills wrote:

On 24/05/2026 21:30, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-
installed in
Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from >>>>> this
link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-
edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here:
<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-
edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

On my W11 computer, the bl**dy thing keeps setting itself as my default >>>> browser without my permission! How can it stop it from doing that?

Whenver it happens I need to go into Setting and set the default app
for
a whole host of file types back to Opera. I'm not a happy bunny!

You are hijacking this thread for a new question.
Please start a new post.ÿÿ Proper etiquette.

I disagree. The thread is about the features of MS Edge compared with
other browsers. My post is about one particularly nasty "feature" -
and is not OT at all. Are you the self-appointed policeman for this NG?

It is a bit of a direction change, availability for different o/s and a reference to benefits, not necessarily features.

But since, you raised the issue(it's still on-topic w/r Edge)
ÿI've three profiles on my Windows 11 Pro device.
ÿOne MSA profile with Edge as the default browser
ÿOne Local profile with Opera as the default browser
ÿOne MSA profile with Chrome as the default browser
ÿ- all three profiles have all three browsers available(installed)

ÿEach of those profiles and default browser was set on Windows 10 Pro
in 2016. Windows 10 Pro was upgraded to Win11 Pro in 2021.

ÿEdge, Chrome and Opera in all 3 profiles have been routinely updated automatically(in the background) when newer versions are released.

ÿNot one of them has lost it default browser setting.

ÿi.e. If Opera is being thrown to the side and Edge set as the default, some setting or method of setting default browser and files is broken or corrupt(Opera or Windows default apps cache).

I was unable to upgrade my W10 computer to W11 because the hardware
wasn't compatible, so I have a new W11 Pro computer with everything
loaded from scratch. I only have one profile, and have the same 3
browsers installed as you. Opera is the default. This hijacking by Edge
seems to occur after Edge has automatically updated itself.

Incidentally, it's the nature of Usenet that threads *do* change
direction. I've seen many threads which started off discussing one
subject but which morphed into discussions of something totally
unrelated to the original subject. At least my change of direction was
only a slight veering!
--
Cheers,
Roger

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On Mon, 5/25/2026 9:35 AM, Roger Mills wrote:

On 25/05/2026 13:00, Alan K. wrote:

On 5/25/26 7:21 AM, Roger Mills wrote:

On 24/05/2026 21:30, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in >>>> Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from this >>>> link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft- edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here:
<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft- edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

On my W11 computer, the bl**dy thing keeps setting itself as my default
browser without my permission! How can it stop it from doing that?

Whenver it happens I need to go into Setting and set the default app for >>> a whole host of file types back to Opera. I'm not a happy bunny!

You are hijacking this thread for a new question.
Please start a new post.ÿÿ Proper etiquette.

I disagree. The thread is about the features of MS Edge compared with other browsers. My post is about one particularly nasty "feature" - and is not OT at all. Are you the self-appointed policeman for this NG?

It makes it easier for other people to track and respond to, if
placed in a new message and a new thread.

I've had a great deal of trouble, at times, finding a misnamed post
in an unrelated thread, where I have new information to add and I
have no idea where that post is that I need to respond to. Some of the
threads have had, like, twenty subject changes and I will have
a subject like "Fudge tastes good" and of course no thread has that
as the name when it is closed up on the screen, and the message
might be buried in the middle of a "Looks like rain" thread.

This is why we need just a tiny bit of discipline, so that
a message hunt does not become a whack-a-mole thing. I would have
to do an offline sync of a group, to be able to do a full body
search for the post I'm trying to answer. It's just easier
if the Subject at the top of the thread, reads properly at
the very beginning of the thread.

*******

# The following is a strategy post, laying out the barriers to user choice.
# This is to give some idea, there are two levels of protection.
# The original timed-crypto-hash technique, plus now a UCPD.sys driver was added to thwart us.

Published Apr 12, 2024

Microsoft has implemented a new driver in the latest Windows updates that
makes it harder for users and third-party software to change the
default web browser on Windows 10 and 11 systems. This move has sparked concerns about potential anticompetitive practices and raised questions
about Microsoft's motives.

The User Choice Protection Driver (UCPD)

As part of the February 2024 updates (KB5034763 for Windows 10 and
KB5034765 for Windows 11), Microsoft introduced a new driver called the
"User Choice Protection Driver" (UCPD.sys). This driver prevents direct
editing of specific Registry keys associated with URL associations (HTTP, HTTPS)
and the PDF file extension.

The affected Registry keys are:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\http\UserChoice

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\https\UserChoice

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pdf\UserChoice

Before this change, third-party tools like SetUserFTA and SetDefaultBrowser could modify
these Registry keys to change the default browser and PDF viewer on Windows systems.
However, with the UCPD driver in place, attempting to directly edit these keys results
in an error:

"Cannot edit Hash: Error writing the value's new contents."

Disabling the UCPD Driver

While the UCPD driver cannot be unloaded, it can be disabled by

modifying the Registry

deleting/disabling a scheduled task.

To disable the driver, follow these steps:
Open an elevated PowerShell prompt.

Run the following command to set the UCPD service to disabled:

New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UCPD" -Name "Start" -Value 4 -PropertyType DWORD -Force

Reboot your system.

Delete or disable the "UCPD velocity" scheduled task under
\Microsoft\Windows\AppxDeploymentClient.

By disabling the UCPD driver and the associated scheduled task, third-party tools
like SetUserFTA and SetDefaultBrowser should regain the ability to change the default browser and PDF viewer settings.

Potential Motivations and Concerns

Microsoft has not provided an official explanation for introducing the UCPD driver,
leading to speculation about the company's motivations. Some theories suggest that
this change is related to compliance with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA),
which aims to prevent anticompetitive practices by large tech companies.

However, the fact that the UCPD driver has been rolled out globally,
including in regions not bound by the DMA, casts doubt on this theory.

Additionally, even with the Registry keys locked down, Windows still opens certain operating system links in Microsoft Edge, even when another browser is set as the default.

Critics argue that this move could be an attempt by Microsoft to make it more difficult
for users to switch to competing browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. By
locking down the ability to change default browser settings programmatically, Microsoft
could be trying to steer users toward using its own Edge browser.

There are also concerns that this change could interfere with enterprise management
tools and virtualization solutions that rely on the ability to change default program
associations during logon and logoff processes.

Respect for User Choice or Anticompetitive Practice?

The introduction of the UCPD driver has sparked a debate about user choice and potential anticompetitive practices. While Microsoft may argue that this change is intended to prevent malware from hijacking default program associations, critics see it as another attempt by the company to maintain its dominance
in the browser market.

If Microsoft's goal is truly to respect user choice, some argue that the company
should provide clear and accessible options within the Windows settings to change the default browser and other program associations easily. Locking down these settings through a driver and scheduled task raises questions about transparency and user control.

As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft will provide
a satisfactory explanation for the UCPD driver or if regulatory bodies will scrutinize this move as potentially anticompetitive. In the meantime, users and IT professionals can follow the steps outlined above to disable the driver and regain control over their default program associations.

*******

# We follow up, using the setuserfta guys advice. This is a long
# article, but one item I notice, is setuserfta works in Safe Mode.
# Whether that would be sufficient, who knows.

https://kolbi.cz/blog/2024/04/03/userchoice-protection-driver-ucpd-sys/

UPDATE 30.05.2024: I have released a SetUserFTA update that works with UCPD.sys.
Its available for personal use only and can be downloaded on SetUserFTA.com

This is probably not a permanent solution, because Microsoft can block it with
an updated UCPD.sys very quickly. It is a rather hacky approach and might not
work for everyone, but it should be fine for personal use.

His commercial web site (previously, fixing this had been a hobby for him), offers version 1.8.4 , which lacks the automation to take care of the UCPD.sys .
We don't know if the last free version handles all this properly or not.

The following, just demonstrates the updating of the crypto part of the protections.

https://setuserfta.com/SetUserFTA.zip

$ setuserfta

SetUserFTA v1.8.4 by Kolbicz IT

SetUserFTA.exe extension progid [optional:group]
SetUserFTA.exe configfile
SetUserFTA.exe get

$ setuserfta get

.htm, FirefoxHTML
.html, FirefoxHTML
.shtml, FirefoxHTML
.xht, FirefoxHTML
.xhtml, FirefoxHTML

.svg, MSEdgeHTM
.xml, MSEdgeHTM

$ setuserfta .htm FirefoxHTML <=== presumed format, apply to each extension
<=== use any Opera value in the "get", as evidence it is "OperaHTML"

This is an article which might be from 2026. This is only regarding UCPD.sys and not about the hash thing that SetUserFTA is supposed to deal with.
This is claimed to be more current steps for dealing with UCPD.sys .

https://www.majorgeeks.com/content/page/how_to_disable_or_enable_userchoice_protection_driver_%28ucpd%29.html

Paul




--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 05/25/2026 12:15 PM, Roger Mills wrote:

On 25/05/2026 16:39, ....winston wrote:

On 05/25/2026 9:35 AM, Roger Mills wrote:

On 25/05/2026 13:00, Alan K. wrote:

On 5/25/26 7:21 AM, Roger Mills wrote:

On 24/05/2026 21:30, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier. >>>>>>
Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-
installed in
Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file
from this
link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft- >>>>>> edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here:
<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft- >>>>>> edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

On my W11 computer, the bl**dy thing keeps setting itself as my
default
browser without my permission! How can it stop it from doing that?

Whenver it happens I need to go into Setting and set the default
app for
a whole host of file types back to Opera. I'm not a happy bunny!

You are hijacking this thread for a new question.
Please start a new post.ÿÿ Proper etiquette.

I disagree. The thread is about the features of MS Edge compared with
other browsers. My post is about one particularly nasty "feature" -
and is not OT at all. Are you the self-appointed policeman for this NG?

It is a bit of a direction change, availability for different o/s and
a reference to benefits, not necessarily features.

But since, you raised the issue(it's still on-topic w/r Edge)
ÿÿI've three profiles on my Windows 11 Pro device.
ÿÿOne MSA profile with Edge as the default browser
ÿÿOne Local profile with Opera as the default browser
ÿÿOne MSA profile with Chrome as the default browser
ÿÿ- all three profiles have all three browsers available(installed)

ÿÿEach of those profiles and default browser was set on Windows 10 Pro
in 2016. Windows 10 Pro was upgraded to Win11 Pro in 2021.

ÿÿEdge, Chrome and Opera in all 3 profiles have been routinely updated
automatically(in the background) when newer versions are released.

ÿÿNot one of them has lost it default browser setting.

ÿÿi.e. If Opera is being thrown to the side and Edge set as the
default, some setting or method of setting default browser and files
is broken or corrupt(Opera or Windows default apps cache).

I was unable to upgrade my W10 computer to W11 because the hardware
wasn't compatible, so I have a new W11 Pro computer with everything
loaded from scratch. I only have one profile, and have the same 3
browsers installed as you. Opera is the default. This hijacking by Edge seems to occur after Edge has automatically updated itself.

Incidentally, it's the nature of Usenet that threads *do* change
direction. I've seen many threads which started off discussing one
subject but which morphed into discussions of something totally
unrelated to the original subject. At least my change of direction was
only a slight veering!

As noted earlier, something is possibly corrupt.
One option, that may work but somewhat invasive, is resetting the
Default apps in Windows 10 (or 11)...but that route means everything,
not just Edge, Opera, Chrome, etc....though if the default app cache is corrupt it is usually the only route thus necessitating resetting
everything to one's preference.

Upgrading Windows 10 to 11 with the Windows 11 feature update has been reported for some devices as resetting Edge as default, but not
necessarily for all file types(browser, but not all previous file
types). Also, Opera has its own setting to be configured as the default browser, though on Windows 11, that feature option may not take
precedent(or remain in place after updating Opera), over Windows default
apps settings(program and file types).

:)
- it's common on Usenet(and has been for its entire past history) of
thread digression and morphing. I pretty much ignore the netpolice complaints...that change of direction/topic is so common, it's
become(and should be expected as) normal.



--
...w­¤?ñ?¤

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On Mon, 25 May 2026 03:31:49 +0700, JJ <jj4public@gmail.com> wrote:

On Sun, 24 May 2026 21:30:00 +0100, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in
Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from this
link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here:
<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

Are you lost?

Sure seems that way.

Frankly the ONLY reason I haven't un-installed Edge is that Microsoft
MIGHT want to use it for updates.

It's a resource pig and slower than what I use so it's a drain on my
system not a helper.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On Mon, 25 May 2026 12:21:59 +0100, Roger Mills
<mills37.fslife@gmail.com> wrote:

On my W11 computer, the bl**dy thing keeps setting itself as my default >browser without my permission! How can it stop it from doing that?

Whenver it happens I need to go into Setting and set the default app for
a whole host of file types back to Opera. I'm not a happy bunny!

While I'm not an "Opera bunny" (I've tried it and found something
better suiting how I do things) I'm in the very same boat as you.

Microsoft didn't ALWAYS ram things down your throat but it's
definitely been their approach for 10+ years now.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On Mon, 25 May 2026 17:15:30 +0100, Roger Mills
<mills37.fslife@gmail.com> wrote:

I was unable to upgrade my W10 computer to W11 because the hardware
wasn't compatible, so I have a new W11 Pro computer with everything
loaded from scratch. I only have one profile, and have the same 3
browsers installed as you. Opera is the default. This hijacking by Edge >seems to occur after Edge has automatically updated itself.

Incidentally, it's the nature of Usenet that threads *do* change
direction. I've seen many threads which started off discussing one
subject but which morphed into discussions of something totally
unrelated to the original subject. At least my change of direction was
only a slight veering!

+1

(and I've been in Usenet for 20+ years)

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On Wed, 5/27/2026 12:49 PM, The Horny Goat wrote:

On Mon, 25 May 2026 03:31:49 +0700, JJ <jj4public@gmail.com> wrote:

On Sun, 24 May 2026 21:30:00 +0100, John Smith wrote:

The Web Browser From Microsoft!
Microsoft Edge is a browser that combines a minimal design with
sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Hope you enjoy using it on your PC or laptop. It comes pre-installed in >>> Windows but Linux Ubuntu or Mint users can download a deb file from this >>> link:

<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/microsoft-edge-stable_148.0.3967.83-1_amd64.deb>

Old versions can be downloaded from here:
<https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge/pool/main/m/microsoft-edge-stable/>

Sunday, 24 May 2026 @ 21:30:00

Are you lost?

Sure seems that way.

Frankly the ONLY reason I haven't un-installed Edge is that Microsoft
MIGHT want to use it for updates.

It's a resource pig and slower than what I use so it's a drain on my
system not a helper.

Not that it matters, but look at the size of the DLL :-)

Name: msedge.dll
Size: 324,130,160 bytes (309 MiB)

There is probably a copy of Tetris in there.
And a Mrs.Fields cookie recipe.

Paul






--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
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In article <8f8e1ll9u1t5cjgbc4nsb2ti4i11r8fma2@4ax.com>, lcraver@home.ca says...

(and I've been in Usenet for 20+ years)

If this is a pissing contest this year (September) starts my 41st year
on Usenet. I remember being shown it by a work colleague on our text-
only VDUs: he was thrilled that he could ask "what's the best way to
eat a mango?" and get helpful and sometimes "ingeneous" replies!

I have to say I'm surprised not to have seen mention of parallel groups
on Facebook. FB does have advantages: rich text, images, and
'reactions', meaning it isn't necessary to "quote" 250 lines of a thread
just to add your "+1"... I do spend a lot of time on Facebook - I
manage a large (20K) group, and I've actually learned a lot from doing
that. I've even sat an exam (harder than you might think) in "Community Management". If I had to pick the one most important lesson I've
learned it would be this:

"Always let the other side have the last word. For then it will be
their foolishness, and not yours, that lingers in people's minds."

Usenet is "old school". And that's not a bad thing.

--
--
Phil, London

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
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