You can? Last I tried I couldn't remove Edge, could not change search engine used in the Windows search to anything other than Bing, every new windows update would default install new apps like Candy Crush and Amazon Prime I never wanted, and so on, and disabling Windows telemetery seems impossible without registry hacks. Ever installed a new Win11? Riddled with dark pattern UX to deceive you into extra telemetry.
The way MS did this was kind of dodge but fits the letter of the law.
On a new install of Windows 11, if you select an EU region, you will have the options to remove things like edge in the OS. You can move off that region because this flag is set only on install. If you install with a non-eu region, you don't have access to those options.
Being slightly late to the party with this comment, but according to XDA, the entire thing is just controlled by a JSON file in System32 (why it's not the registry is beyond me)[0].
Just for future reference if you want to disable it later.
To get Europe's protections, you need to be in Europe (or faking it somehow). If you live in the US or somewhere else outside of Europe, these companies will continue to screw you because you don't have Europe working on behalf of your privacy and choice.
