zlacker

>>beezle+(OP)
Firefox should go all the way on this. Exploit bugs, modify binaries, whatever it takes. With user consent of course. If the user says they want Firefox to be their default browser, Firefox is justified in modifying the operating system to achieve that. Ultimately Microsoft is powerless to stop this except by using their antivirus to block installation of Firefox in the first place, and I'd like to see them try that because the blowback would be epic.

>>modele+IL
This. Just like in the ol' good days, install an API hook (e.g. with Microsoft Detours[1]) that would patch relevant functions in-memory. Microsoft cannot block this because they'll be breaking lots of existing things (automation tools, gaming overlays, AV software even).

And if MS would want to play it rough and start blocking hook DLLs with permission barriers, make this API patcher a kernel module.

[1]: https://github.com/microsoft/detours

>>drdaem+aP
Right now, TrustedInstaller is an excellent workaround for many things.