Just a JSON file in Windows 11 enables Edge, Bing, and Search ads removal

Microsoft announced last week that it will allow uninstalling Microsoft Edge in the European Economic Area (EEA) in compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Even more, Microsoft has done more drastic alterations to Windows 10 and Windows 11. In the near future, EU users will have the ability to remove Microsoft Edge, deactivate Bing in taskbar search, and eliminate the MSN news feed from the widget panel, among other changes.

These changes have already been integrated into Windows 10 with KB5032278 and Windows 11 with KB5032288 , but have largely not yet been activated.

On March 6, 2024, the company's operating systems will be fully compliant with the Digital Markets Act. Stable versions of both Windows 10 and Windows 11 will include the mentioned changes.

Although only users from European countries will officially benefit from these adjustments, enthusiasts have discovered a way to allow the changes work in any region.  The options to activate the EEA-compliant features  are specified in a simple JSON file. It is the IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json, located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

The file contains a description of the features that can be enabled and disabled, their default status, and a list of regions where the feature management will be available.

The list of features in IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json

• Edge is uninstallable
• User can disable web search
• Narrator scripting extensions are enabled
• File Explorer Search is third party extensible
• First party File Explorer Search is allowed
• Featured apps show in Open With dialog
• Third party search providers show in search
• Third party search highlight content in search zero input
• First party search highlight content in search zero input
• Third parties can customize the Taskbar Gleam
• First party Taskbar Gleam customization is shown
• Search MRU shows third party provider
• Edge is required for web search
• System components are differentiated from apps
• Backup options are restricted
• Show files from the MS Office MRU redommendation provider
• Third party feed is shown in Widgets
• Third party Widgets are shown in Widgets feed
• First party Widget feed can be enabled
• Use default web protocol for Widget links
• Restrict widgets data sharing
• Restrict third-party widgets data sharing
• UTC events should be tagged restricted
• XBox performance fit data sharing
• Shared ODD consent
• Windows Copilot
• Automatic app sign-in
• Notifications on the taskbar for Widgets
• Show recent web searches in search zero input
• Show website items in start recommendations
• Widget sign-in is restricted to default account
• Widget third-party taskbar badges are enabled
• Widgets should be restricted to static recommendations
• First-party widgets have optimized frame and taskbar integration

By editing that file, you can enable or disable this or that capability, change the region where it works (e.g. to make it available on your computer), and so on. However, the file is protected, so you need to take ownership and get full access to IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json.

How to edit the IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json file

1. Open File Explorer and go to the C:\Windows\System32 folder .
2. Make a copy of the IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json file and paste it in a different folder. You later use that copy to restore defaults or in case of issues.
3. Right-click on the IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json file and select Properties .
4. Go to the "Security" tab and click on the "Advanced" button .
5. Click on "Edit" next to the current owner, which is TrustedInstaller .
6. In the window that appears, enter “Administrators” and click on the “Check names” button . Windows should recognize the user.
7. Click OK .
8. Make sure the file owner has changed in the dialog.
9. Confirm the changes by clicking OK.
10. Now, click on the "Change" button in the "Properties" window .
11. Select the "Administrators" group .
12. Check the box next to "Full access".
13. Click OK to finish.

Now you can open the file in any text editor and make the necessary changes.

It is worth mentioning that changes you made to the IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json file won't have effect in stable versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft has to roll out this new capability to the stable branch in March 2024.

Source: Deskmodder via thecommunity