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How to Change the Default Browser in Windows
Pick the browser you like best
By Scott Orgera Scott Orgera Writer Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 16, 2021 Reviewed by Jerrick Leger Reviewed by Jerrick Leger Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide What to Know
For Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Apps > Default apps, choose a browser, and select Set default file types or link types.From the Windows Start menu: Type Default apps. Under Web browser, select the current default, then choose a new option.Make Chrome the default: Open Chrome. Select Menu > Settings > Default Browser > Make Google Chrome the default browser. This article explains how to change your default browser, which is likely Microsoft Edge, on a Windows PC. Instructions cover Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. How to Install Google Chrome on Windows 11 Changing the Default in Windows 11
Chaing the default browser in Windows 11 requires a few more steps than previous Windows versions. You'll need to choose which browser and what file types it will open by default. See how below:
Open the Start menu.
Select Settings.
From the left panel, select Apps.
Select Default apps.
Select the browser to set as the default.
Under Set default file types or link types, select each of the following types to set to your new browser default: .htm, .html, .pdf, .shtml, .svg, .webp, .xht, .xhtml, FTP, HTTP, and HTTPS.
Close the Settings app.
How to Choose a New Default Browser From the Start Menu
If you have Windows 10, you might be able to change the default browser quickly, without launching any of the specific browser apps, as below. First, type default apps into the Search field, then scroll down to the Web browser heading. Select the browser that is the default, and you'll see a list of browsers available on your PC. Select the one you would like to open web links, and then close the window. If that doesn't work for you, give the following instructions a try, depending on which browser you use. Google Chrome
To set Google Chrome as your default Windows browser, take the following steps. Open the Google Chrome browser. Select the Chrome menu button, represented by three horizontal lines and located in the upper-right corner of the browser window. When the drop-down menu appears, select the Settings option. In the left pane, select Default browser. Select Make default. You can also access the Chrome settings interface by entering the following shortcut command in the browser address bar: chrome://settings. Your computer opens the Default Apps applet, where you can choose Google Chrome as your default browser. Mozilla Firefox
To set Mozilla Firefox as your default Windows browser, take the following steps. Open the Firefox browser. Select the Firefox menu button, represented by three horizontal lines and located in the upper-right corner of the browser window. When the pop-out menu appears, select Options. The first section in the General tab, labeled Startup, contains your browser settings. Select Make Default. Microsoft Edge
To set Microsoft Edge as your default browser in Windows 10, take the following steps. Open the Microsoft Edge browser. Select Settings and more, represented by three dots and located in the upper-right corner of the browser window, and choose Settings. In the left pane, select Default browser. Select Make Default. Opera
To set Opera as your default Windows browser, take the following steps. Select the Opera menu button, located in the upper-left corner of the browser window. When the drop-down menu appears, select Settings. Locate the Default browser section. Next, select Make default. Windows displays the Default apps page and changes your browser choice to Opera. Maxthon Cloud Browser
To set Maxthon Cloud Browser as your default Windows browser, take the following steps. Select the Maxthon menu, represented by three broken horizontal lines and located in the upper-right corner of the browser window. Select Settings. When the settings page appears, select Set Maxthon Browser as default browser. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Make IE11 the Default Browser in Windows How to Turn on Incognito Mode in Your Browser Allow or Deny Access to Your Physical Location Settings How to Clear Cookies for a Specific Site How to Change the Default Download Location in Windows 10 How to Turn off Incognito Mode How to Change the Default Browser in Thunderbird How to Connect Google Home to Wi-Fi How to Delete Cookies in Every Major Browser How to Remove Safe Finder From Mac How to Use ActiveX Filtering in Internet Explorer 11 How to Activate InPrivate Browsing Mode in IE How to Change the File Download Location in Your Browser How to Enable and Disable the Chrome PDF Viewer How to Set the Home Page to Your Favorite Website How to Stop Autoplay Videos Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies