Microsoft starts rollout of Windows DMA compliance changes in Europe - gHacks Tech News
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Microsoft has started the rollout of Digital Markets Act changes in its Windows 10 and 11 operating systems for users from the European Economic Area.

These changes are only applicable to users in the EEA. For those outside the region, Windows will continue to function as it is!

The changes to Windows for DMA-compliance include:

  • You can now uninstall Edge and Bing web search using the built-in settings. Earlier, the option was greyed out.
  • Third-party web search application developers can now utilize the Windows search box in the taskbar using the instructions provided by Microsoft and choose any web browser to show results from the web.
  • Microsoft will no longer sign-in users to Edge, Bing, and Microsoft Start services during the initial Windows setup experience.
  • Data collected about the functioning of non-Microsoft apps, primarily bug detection and its effects on the OS, from Windows PCs will not be used for competitive purposes.
  • Microsoft, from now on, will need explicit user consent before combining data from the OS and other sources. It will also deliver new consent screens where required.
    • smileyhead@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      56·
      4 months ago

      Imagine phones coming with a clean Android with the ability to install Google Play Services like a normal app 😌.

      And documention to port other operating systems or new Android versions.

          • Burn_The_Right@lemmy.worldEnglish
            4·
            4 months ago

            Fairphone has made it pretty clear that they have no plans of selling future versions in the U.S. though. They allowed Murena to sell their older Fairphone 4, but the 5 and later versions seem likely to be EU only.

            (The EU radio hardware makes EU versions incompatible with U.S. networks, in case anyone was thinking of trying to import one anyway)

            • oce 🐆@jlai.luEnglish
              1·
              4 months ago

              Where has this been made clear? Also, I’m using the fp4, it’s perfectly up to date with current needs and probably will still be in 5 years.

              • Burn_The_Right@lemmy.worldEnglish
                2·
                4 months ago

                While they haven’t made an official statement on their website, they have indicated in interviews that they don’t have any plans to have an official presence in the U.S. This is why a third party company (like Murena) would need to import the phones and handle customer service here.

                They also have no plans for the 5 to be altered to function on U.S. networks, making it clear their latest model is not intended for use in the U.S. There is no indication Fairphone has plans to move into the U.S. market. They seem pretty content where they are currently.

        • hagelslagerEnglish
          1·
          4 months ago

          Fairphone comes with standard Android? Unlocking the Fairphone to get a de-googled Android is easy for someone somewhat technically inclined.

          • Burn_The_Right@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            4 months ago

            My understanding was that the entire point of Fairphone was not to be under the thumb of a corporation and that would allow us to use our device how we want for as long as we want. If it was designed to be married to a corporation, that would make me distrust Fairphone as well.

            • hagelslagerEnglish
              1·
              4 months ago

              In a way it does, but by default it comes with a fairly standard android. It’s more about the hardware modules and repairability than about the software.

        • smileyhead@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
          7·
          4 months ago

          This could be a common knowledge everyone has. Like inserting a SIM card and entering a PIN, this also had to be learned.

          And not sideload. Install.

          • the_crotch@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            23·
            4 months ago

            Maybe your family is smarter than mine, but none of my 60ish aged aunts or uncles have learned to install a sim. They have the store do it, or their kids, or struggle through the instructions the carrier sent then complain about it for 3 weeks and forget it by the next time it comes up.

            Sideloading is a form of installing and it applies in this case. Its also a lot to ask of the sort of people who will turn on their new device and say things like “it’s says to enter my email address, what should I put?”

            A modern consumer OS should come bundled with everything a typical user needs pre-installed. That includes an app store and a browser. The “knows enough to be dangerous” types should be free to remove it. That seems like a good compromise to me.

            • smileyhead@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
              1·
              3 months ago

              If they ask for help to setup their phones someone more technical, so I do not see a problem.

              How do you define sideloading then? Also preinstalled Play Store and Google services is the exact reason why they are asked for an email address, something I wish should not be by default.

              But okey, just preinstalled store would not be a problem for me as long as everything is available to remove, even with a warn sigh. I don’t want to evangelise here, but on Linux installs it’s awesome how not only browser and store is preinstalled, but also useful stuff like file sharing client, FTP client, office suite, email client… depends on the distro, but it makes it easy to ask “hey, can you share it to me?” or do something without asking to install anything new, while all can be removed with no marks left.

    • The_WorstEnglish
      3·
      4 months ago

      They are working on it (or it is part of the DMA) to enable users to uninstall preloaded apps.