I mostly use Linux Mint on my personal computers and a locked-down Windows 10 setup at work. I’ve got one laptop left running Windows 11.
I prefer keeping certain websites restricted to specific browsers, like Facebook, which stays in its own corner. But every time I open any browser in Windows 11, it pops up a bar under the address bar asking why it’s not the default. Do I really need this reminder every time? Is there a way to turn it off for good?
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That happens in pretty much every browser I’ve used, no matter the operating system.
Just click “no” and make sure to check the box that says “don’t ask again.”
Smart said:
That happens in pretty much every browser I’ve used, no matter the operating system.
Just click “no” and make sure to check the box that says “don’t ask again.”
I’ve done that, but it still keeps asking. Is it because I don’t use the PC very often?
@Ash
It could be. Mine resets every time there’s an update—whether it’s the browser or Windows itself.
Jane said:
@Ash
It could be. Mine resets every time there’s an update—whether it’s the browser or Windows itself.
That makes sense. It feels like every time I start the PC, there’s some kind of update running.
It’s because they all want to be your default choice.
Click the “X” at the end of the bar. That usually stops it from asking again.
Stick to one browser and set it as the default. If you’re using multiple, this is going to keep happening. Or get a larger monitor—the bar won’t seem as annoying if you have more screen space.
You can disable this in the settings of each browser. Let me know which one is giving you trouble, and I can guide you through the steps to turn it off.
Windows also loves to push Edge at you every time you click a link.
Because Microsoft can’t stop messing things up.
It’s wild how every single tool I use constantly tries to sell me on some AI feature, cloud storage, or some other nonsense.
Even paid software—stuff I rely on to get my work done—does this nonstop. Browsers are bad enough, but Adobe, Microsoft, Autodesk… they all do it. It’s like they don’t care that I have work to do.
Why is every product manager obsessed with shoving half-baked corporate projects down our throats? They interrupt our workflow to pitch ideas that probably won’t last a year.
I’m still mad about how MS Office makes saving files locally such a pain. I don’t want to save everything to OneDrive! I pay for it, but there are reasons I use network storage. Why don’t they respect that?
@Adler
I switch between Linux and Windows all day.
On Linux, everything works exactly how I set it up. It’s quiet, efficient, and does what I need.
On Windows, there’s always some popup, ding, or random notification trying to grab my attention. It’s exhausting.
@SarahBrown
Exactly. It’s a complete lack of respect for users.
I get that many users need handholding, but the upselling and nagging in Windows apps is next-level annoying. Even MacOS, which can be pretty hand-holdy, feels more respectful of its users’ time.
@Adler
I think open-source apps do a better job across the board. Things like Firefox, LibreOffice, and qbittorrent stay out of your way, no matter the platform.
Meanwhile, commercial apps—even cross-platform ones—always find ways to interrupt you. Discord is a prime offender.
@SarahBrown
True, and don’t even get me started on app updates. Windows apps love to disrupt you for updates. Even open-source tools like Fan Control can be annoying when they nag you, though I admit that’s probably an easy fix I haven’t bothered with.
The system needs a default browser to handle links. That’s why it keeps asking. There’s always a clear “don’t ask me again” option, though, so it’s not really a big deal.
This isn’t unique to Windows 11—Linux Mint, Windows 10, and MacOS all do the same thing. If you’re using multiple browsers, click the “don’t ask me again” box on each one. If you just use one, set it as the default.
@Ali
Firefox is my default, and oddly enough, it’s the only one not asking. The others still pop up with the prompt.
Ash said:
@Ali
Firefox is my default, and oddly enough, it’s the only one not asking. The others still pop up with the prompt.
If Firefox is your default, you should try the Firefox Multi-Account Containers Add-on. It lets you set up containers for websites, so cookies and trackers don’t cross over. For example, Facebook won’t spy on your Reddit activity unless they’re in the same container.