How to Make IE11 the Default Browser in Windows

Automatically open web files and links in Internet Explorer

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Updated on June 15, 2022

In Windows 10: In the Windows Start Menu search bar, enter Default apps, then select Default apps in the search results.
In the Default apps window, go to the Web browser section and click the current browser. Select Internet Explorer to reset the default.
In Windows 8 and 7: IE is the default browser. To reset it, open IE and go to Settings (gear) > Default web browser > Make default.

This article explains how to make Internet Explorer 11 your default web browser in Windows if you prefer it to Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer and recommends that you update to the newer Edge browser. Head to their site to download the newest version.

How to Set IE as the Default Browser in Windows 10

Although Microsoft Edge is the preferred web browser for Windows 10, you can still set Internet Explorer as your default browser.

In the Windows Start Menu search bar, enter Default apps, then select Default apps in the search results.
In the Default apps window, go to the Web browser section and select the current browser.
Select Internet Explorer.

To configure IE 11 to open only certain file types, select Choose default apps by file type at the bottom of the Default apps window.
Close the settings window. Your default browser is set as Internet Explorer 11.

Internet Explorer is the default browser for Windows 8 and Windows 7. However, if you changed it to something else, here's how to change it back:

Select the Settings Gear in the upper-right corner of IE 11 and choose Internet options from the drop-down menu.
Select the Programs tab.
In the Default web browser section, select Make default.
Select OK to close the dialog box. Internet Explorer is set as your computer's default web browser.

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