How to Change the Default Browser in Windows

Pick the browser you like best

By
Scott Orgera
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.
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Updated on December 16, 2021
Reviewed by
Jerrick Leger
Jerrick Leger headshot
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.
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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.

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:

  1. Open the Start menu.

  2. Select Settings.

  3. From the left panel, select Apps.

  4. Select Default apps.

  5. Select the browser to set as the default.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser.

  2. Select the Chrome menu button, represented by three horizontal lines and located in the upper-right corner of the browser window.

  3. When the drop-down menu appears, select the Settings option.

    Settings submenu in Chrome

  4. In the left pane, select Default browser.

    Default browser option in Google Chrome settings

  5. Select Make default.

    Make Default button in Google Chrome settings

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.

  1. Open the Firefox browser.

  2. Select the Firefox menu button, represented by three horizontal lines and located in the upper-right corner of the browser window.

  3. When the pop-out menu appears, select Options.

    Firefox Options submenu

  4. The first section in the General tab, labeled Startup, contains your browser settings. Select Make Default.

    Make Default button in Firefox settings

Microsoft Edge

To set Microsoft Edge as your default browser in Windows 10, take the following steps.

  1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.

  2. Select Settings and more, represented by three dots and located in the upper-right corner of the browser window, and choose Settings.

    Settings in Microsoft Edge Settings & More menu

  3. In the left pane, select Default browser.

    Default Browser in Microsoft Edge settings

  4. Select Make Default.

    Make Default button in Microsoft Edge settings

Opera

To set Opera as your default Windows browser, take the following steps.

  1. Select the Opera menu button, located in the upper-left corner of the browser window.

  2. When the drop-down menu appears, select Settings.

    Settings submenu in Opera browser

  3. Locate the Default browser section. Next, select Make default. Windows displays the Default apps page and changes your browser choice to Opera.

    Make default button in Opera Settings

Maxthon Cloud Browser

To set Maxthon Cloud Browser as your default Windows browser, take the following steps.

  1. Select the Maxthon menu, represented by three broken horizontal lines and located in the upper-right corner of the browser window.

  2. Select Settings.

    Settings icon for Maxthon browser

  3. When the settings page appears, select Set Maxthon Browser as default browser.

    Set Maxthon Browser as default browser button in Settings
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