I am in the EU but unable to uninstall Edge?

Belinea said:

Hi all.

I have just installed Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.2861 and as I am in Ireland (part of the EU) I am supposed to be able to uninstall Edge
but as the images below show, the option to uninstall is greyed out?

The Install was done using the international version of Windows 11 and the ISO was downloaded direct from MS.

I would be grateful for any assistance.

Thanks.

View attachment 107186View attachment 107187

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You obviously have not done your research. MS are doing limited testing this in Dev versions.

My guess is that change will only apply to N versions which are EU specific versions of Windows.

So long as MS supply a version that complies with EU regulations, it is up to individuals whether they choose the non EU version or the EU version.

In reality vast majority chose non EU version as the N versions were a pain lacking many media functions, and you had to run a fix to reinstate them.

To make things more irritating, N licences do not work on normal versions and vice versa.

So if I am correct, and removing Edge is part of N versions (speculation of course), you could end up needing to buy a new licence just to remove Edge. This really would not be worth the cost.

And it’ll leave WebView intact

cereberus said:

You obviously have not done your research. MS are doing limited testing this in Dev versions.

My guess is that change will only apply to N versions which are EU specific versions of Windows.

So long as MS supply a version that complies with EU regulations, it is up to individuals whether they choose the non EU version or the EU version.

In reality vast majority chose non EU version as the N versions were a pain lacking many media functions, and you had to run a fix to reinstate them.

To make things more irritating, N licences do not work on normal versions and vice versa.

So if I am correct, and removing Edge is part of N versions (speculation of course), you could end up needing to buy a new licence just to remove Edge. This really would not be worth the cost.

Click to expand...

You haven't done your research.

Windows N Editions have the same C:\Windows\System32\IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json file as non-N Editions.

Open a copy of Win11_23H2_[locale]_x64v2.iso in 7-Zip, and browse the contents of say Pro N [WIM image index 7], and see for yourself. IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json is the same file currently used to deny EU residents the ability to use Copilot, for data privacy reasons. The same updates have been back-ported to W10 22H2 CU's.

N Editions were created in response to a specific complaint about Windows Media dominance, and the EU in 2004 couldn't have predicted they would be back for Edge. This is a serious regulatory topic, and MS has openly communicated their steps since Nov 2023:
Previewing changes in Windows to comply with the Digital Markets Act in the European Economic Area

garlin said:

DMA - Digital Markets Act. If you're making an argument, get it right.

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Works for me (not in the EU).


Added : Screenshot with Copilot on taskbar.



I don't have any problem either with "Copilot" so about its use not being allowed in the EU -- not sure about that. I did install the GB English version of Windows first before changing region so maybe that's where the restriction (or lack thereof) came in. There's no ISL version of Windows - you have to add language pack afterwards.

Iceland is not in the EU but is in the EEA where pretty well 100% of EU regs apply. The EEA allows Customs Union, Schengen (Visa free entry / exit) Single Market etc but some local exemptions such as not forced to adopt the € (widely accepted here though), control of various things like fishing rights, and some exceptions on "Free movement".

It's still a "Candidate" member for EU but that's low on most people's agenda currently -- far more important things to deal with currently as people elsewhere --the status quo is just fine.

There's quite a few huge Data centres here due to nationwide abundant cheap geothermal and hydroelectric power available -- so some of these places are given 20 year cheap energy contracts. Maybe Ms should establish a centre here -- plenty of good I.T talent -- and I'm sure would provide far better service than one gets (or doesn't get) from some of its other places on the other side of the planet - plus people speak excellent English too -- so you wouldn't get some of those problems when speaking to some of those semi robot human operators in those hideous call centres.



Cheers
jimbo