Microsoft will shortly make some adjustments to the Windows 11 app pinning and app defaults systems to make them both simpler and more concise. When Windows 11 Dev Channel is released in the upcoming months, Windows Insiders will receive the improvements first.
Microsoft is introducing two particular changes today. With the first, Microsoft is developing a widely accepted method for application developers to make their particular program the default app on Windows, or even pin the app to the taskbar, for a more uniform experience across all the Windows apps you use. Microsoft’s assurance that its own apps will accept these new techniques and essentially not get around them is the second shift.
So, when these adjustments are prepared to be implemented, how will you ultimately notice them? Microsoft is releasing a new Settings deep link URI that, according to the company, can direct users directly to the location in the Settings app where you can assist you change the defaults for the initial section of the app.
Microsoft is developing a new API for app pinning that will enable programs to pin both primary and secondary tiles to the Taskbar. Using the API, you will receive an Accept or Decline prompt along with a message that the app is wanting to be pinned. The pinning confirmation is only a concept at this time, according to Microsoft, and is not yet complete.
You might recall that when it was discovered that Windows made it more difficult to switch Microsoft Edge away from the default web browser, Mozilla and other tech titans harshly criticized Microsoft for its app defaults practices last year. Microsoft made a reference to the saga and stated that it is now time to “lead by example,” even noting that a future Microsoft Edge release will incorporate these new adjustments.
In order to “provide the confidence, safety, and security that customers look to Windows to provide,” Microsoft was rather explicit about these modifications. The business continued by saying that the adjustments should also decrease uninvited changes to Windows itself, most likely alluding to adware and bloatware programs.