Microsoft is now using a Windows driver to prevent users from changing the configured Windows 10 and Windows 11 default browser through software or by manually modifying the Registry.
In principal, the change is good for reasons you mentioned. However microsoft has :
bypassed any default screens in the past, allowing edge to be set default without user input.
has added very annoying screens when changing default applications asking the user multiple times if they are sure.
has added special protocols for applications and set edge as default browser to bypass default application settings in all office applications ( outlook, teams, word, … ).
They just can not be trusted with this, they have proven this in the past…
In principal, the change is good for reasons you mentioned. However microsoft has :
They just can not be trusted with this, they have proven this in the past…