Security News > 2024 > April > New Windows driver blocks software from changing default web browser
Microsoft is now using a Windows driver to prevent users from changing the Windows 10 and Windows 11 default browser manually or through software.
SetDefaultBrowser works similarly but is only for changing the default browser in Windows.
With the Windows 10 and Windows 11 February updates installed, Kolbicz noted that these Registry keys have now been locked down, giving errors when edited outside the Windows settings.
It should be noted that in BleepingComputer's tests, the driver was rolled out to our Windows 11 and Windows 10 devices, but it only locked down the Registry keys on our Windows 10 devices.
These changes included new default browser policies for users in the European Economic Area that force Windows to use users' default browser when opening a link rather than using Microsoft Edge.
This new driver has also rolled out to Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices in the USA that do not have to comply with the DMA act, shedding doubt on this theory.