- MSEdgeRedirect makes it possible to redirect certain links to your default browser.
- The tool is free, but it needs to be running as a service on Windows 11.
- MSEdgeRedirect was created after Microsoft blocked EdgeDeflector from doing the same thing.
A new tool called MSEdgeRedirect makes it possible to get around the Microsoft tactics to block you from making another browser the system default on Windows 11.
Although you can make Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or any other browser the default, Microsoft still forces you to use Microsoft Edge to open certain links, such as those from Windows Search, News, Widgets dashboard, and many other places.
The Brave browser, Mozilla, and the EdgeDeflector tool managed to get around this restriction. However, Microsoft quickly responded, saying that workarounds that manipulate system features are improper and they will get blocked. And soon after the response, the company released the update KB5008215 for Windows 11 that stops third-party tools and browsers from trying to redirect “microsoft-edge” links.
However, a new tool called MSEdgeRedirect now gets around the blocks and allows you to redirect links that invoke the “microsoft-edge” protocol to open with the browser you established as the default.
The only caveat is that the tool needs to be constantly running in the background to work since the new system update makes it harder to get around the block. Also, when you download the tool, the system will try to block it because it thinks the file is malicious. While it gets the redirect done correctly in most cases, it’s up to you if you want to try it.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].