I hate Windows 11 a little less because of this tiny free app
I really like Windows 11 that I only liked Windows 10 – and it was before it started to advertise constantly and to fill all the corners and corners of the experience with “IA” that I wanted or asked. But one of the oldest troubles is that he still requires that I use Microsoft’s Edge browser and the search for bing for everything, including the searches carried out in the search for a very practical start menu.
I have already tried various remedies for this thorn in the side of my PC experience, but Microsoft has correctly corrected and updated the windows quite often so that they have all stopped working. I finally abandoned and resolved to leave the start -up menu hindered by the brand too loaded with Microsoft, even if I prefer to use the tools I chose for me (Vivaldi as a browser and DuckDuckGo as a search engine).
Such things are sent to try us. By Microsoft, especially. This should not immerse themselves in the way individual users wish to use the operating systems we have paid. I’m not bitter, no, why do you ask?
But a recent Windows laptop purchase – this one, in fact, yes, sometimes we also jump on our own transaction messages! – supported these troubles before and in the center. I looked at the Windows 11 configuration process for 40 minutes, driven at each stage to pay Microsoft more money for 365 or Copilot or OneDrive, so I decided that it was still time to see if I could fight the Panoptic Clutch starting menu.
A little Google search Duckducking led me to MSEDGEredirect, who does what he says about the tin. This small tool redirects web searches from the Windows 11 search bar towards any browser you want, using all the main search engines. You know, the way it should have worked from the start.
It is a small neat package, requiring only a standard installation, without the programs constantly in the field. In addition to redirecting the web part of the search to your real default browser, it can also manage most of the widgets that appear in the taskbar. Weather, news, images – If you use one, you can redirect them to your favorite browser and an alternative service (like Accuweather).
MSEDGEredirect still works in July 2025, on my desktop PC built at home and my Snapdragon laptop. I cannot guarantee that this will remain to work for a given period. It is a gift on Github, and Microsoft has updated Windows to Bork this kind of tool before, which I consider as a selfish betrayal of customers like me. Customers that Microsoft would like to be a little less riders to piss these days.
But for the moment, it works. I hope it makes Windows 11 a little less boring for you too, especially if you have recently been forced to get on a new machine or an operating system.
Read more in -depth: I finally decided to reset my Windows PC. Here are 6 signs that you should also
