Microsoft wants to make it easier to choose default apps in Windows 11

Microsoft wants Windows 11 users to soon be able to more easily designate the correct default application for opening certain file types. The company also wants developers to ask for permission first before pinning an app to the taskbar.

The American tech company states in a blog post that Windows users should have more control over what gets pinned or not to the taskbar, desktop or Start menu. To achieve this, Microsoft is announcing a new API that allows developers to pin their app to the taskbar, but also immediately asks users for permission.

According to the company, Windows users should also have more control over which apps they want to use by default with certain file types, the so-called default apps. The company is therefore introducing a uniform resource identifier, uri for short. This allows app developers to immediately call up the correct section in the settings menu where the default applications in Windows can be indicated.

According to Microsoft, both the new API and the URI will be introduced in the Windows Insider Dev Channel in the coming months. It is not clear when the new features will appear in Windows 11.

Standard applications settings menu Windows 11