In our last article dedicated to the Opera One browser, we expressed a desire to try something different in terms of browsers, and recently we discovered that the folks at DuckDuckGo enabled the public beta of their new browser for Windows. Besides blocking online tracking and optimizing user privacy, the DuckDuckGo Browser includes an alternative player for YouTube, which essentially eliminates Mountain View's telemetry, and promises to make a lot of noise…
The last time we talked about DuckDuckGo was to explore the DuckAssist feature based on artificial intelligence, but the company had to remove it at Microsoft's request. Fortunately, their projects don't end there, and DuckDuckGo has other things to share. The most recent is the public beta of its "DuckDuckGo Browser" compatible with Windows. After more than a year as an exclusive for macOS, all interested parties can download and install a copy on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
How to install the public beta of DuckDuckGo Browser for Windows
The installation is carried out with an AppInstaller module and takes a few seconds to complete. DuckDuckGo's wizard allows us to import items from other browsers, but it's possible to skip all those steps. The Windows edition of DuckDuckGo Browser does not have its own engine, but uses a combination of WebView2 and Blink. In other words, basically behaves like Edge in the background, without Redmond's bloatware.
This initial build of the browser doesn't include extension support, nor methods to configure whitelists/blacklists in its blocking system, however, it includes the famous Fire Button that completely erases our history, automatic cookie control, the Global Privacy Control function to restrict trackers, autofill of usernames and passwords, and most importantly: The Duck Player.
In essence, Duck Player is a mini-Invidious, an alternative wrapper for viewing YouTube videos without recommendations or pop-ups. As if that weren't enough, Duck Player can be configured in default mode, loading all YouTube videos. The big question is: What will YouTube's reaction be? Duck Player doesn't depend on any official API, but the case of YouTube Vanced and the retirement of YouTube Go come to mind. Link below!
DuckDuckGo Browser beta for Windows: Click here
