How to Change the Default Browser on Windows

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Changing the default browser on a Windows computer is a common task that many users have to do. By setting your favorite web browser as the default, you can ensure that all your web links open in the browser of your choice. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of changing the default browser on Windows. No prior technical knowledge is required.

Understanding default browser settings

The default browser is the web browser that Windows will use whenever you click on a web link. For example, if you click on a link in an email, the default browser will open the webpage. Windows comes pre-installed with Microsoft Edge, which is set as the default browser. However, you can change it to another browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or any other browser you prefer.

Steps to change default browser in Windows 10

Step 1: Open the Settings app

To begin, you'll need to open the Settings app on your Windows 10 computer. You can do this by clicking the Start menu button in the lower-left corner of your screen and then selecting the Settings icon that resembles a gear.

Step 2: Go to Apps

In the Settings app, you will see several categories. Click on Apps. This will take you to a new screen where you can manage your installed apps and their settings.

Step 3: Go to Default Apps

In the Apps section, you will find several tabs on the left. Click on Default Apps. This section allows you to choose default apps for various tasks such as email, maps, and web browsing.

Step 4: Change the web browser

In the Default Apps section, look for the Web Browser category. You will see the icon and name of the currently set default browser. Click this item. A list of installed web browsers will appear. Select your preferred browser from the list. This action will set the selected browser as your default.

Step 5: Confirm the change

After you choose your preferred browser, Windows may ask you to confirm the change. Follow the onscreen instructions to finalize the change. Your default browser is now set to your chosen web browser.

Steps to change default browser in Windows 11

Step 1: Open the Settings app

On a Windows 11 computer, start by opening the Settings app. You can do this by clicking the Start menu button and selecting the Settings icon, represented by a gear symbol.

Step 2: Go to Apps

In the Settings app, click on the Apps section. This will take you to the apps management screen.

Step 3: Go to Default Apps

Scroll down and click on Default apps. This section manages default apps for various tasks like web browsing, email, maps, etc.

Step 4: Set your preferred browser

In the Default Apps section, scroll down to find and click the web browser you want to set as the default. You may have to click on several file types associated with web browsing (.htm, .html, .pdf, etc.) and change each to your preferred browser. This step ensures that your chosen browser will handle all web-related tasks.

Step 5: Confirm your selection

After making your changes, close the Settings app. Your web browser is now set as the default on Windows 11. You can confirm by opening a web link from another application, such as email, and it should open in the newly set default browser.

Using Group Policy to change the default browser in a corporate environment

For system administrators in corporate environments, it may be necessary to set the default web browser using Group Policy. This method ensures consistency across multiple machines and users.

Step 1: Open Group Policy Management

To begin, open the Group Policy Management Console on the Windows server. You can find it by searching for "Group Policy Management" in the Start menu.

Step 2: Create a new policy

Right-click the organizational unit (OU) where you want to apply the policy and select Create a GPO in this domain, and link it here…. Name your new Group Policy Object (GPO) appropriately.

Step 3: Edit the policy

Right-click on the newly created GPO and select Edit. This will open the Group Policy Management Editor.

Step 4: Set the default association

Go to Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer. Find and double-click the Set default association configuration file policy.

Step 5: Configure the policy

Select Enabled and specify the path to an XML file that contains the default application associations. Here is an example XML file to set Google Chrome as the default browser:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<defaultAssociation>
    <association identifier=".htm" ProgId="ChromeHTML" ApplicationName="Google Chrome" />
    <association identifier=".html" progID="chromeHTML" applicationName="Google Chrome" />
    <association identifier="http" ProgId="ChromeHTML" ApplicationName="Google Chrome" />
    <association identifier="https" ProgId="ChromeHTML" ApplicationName="Google Chrome" />
</defaultassociation>
    

Save this XML file to a shared network path that is accessible by all target computers.

Step 6: Implement and test

Apply your Group Policy settings and make sure the targeted computers are updated with the new policy. Restarting the computer or running gpupdate /force command will apply the policy immediately. Open a web link to confirm the default browser change.

Using the Windows Registry to change the default browser

Changing the default browser using the Windows Registry is a more advanced method. This is usually recommended for power users or system administrators who are comfortable editing the registry.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. This will open the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Switch to the correct key

Navigate to the following path in the Registry Editor:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations

Step 3: Modify the keys

In UrlAssociations folder, you'll find subkeys for http and https. Each key has a subkey called UserChoice.

Step 4: Set up your browser

Inside UserChoice key, look for a string value called ProgId. Double-click this value and change it to the ProgId of your favorite browser. For example, for Google Chrome, set it to ChromeHTML.

Repeat this step for both http and https keys.

Step 5: Shut down and restart

Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. This will set the browser you chose as the default for web links. Please note that editing the Windows Registry can be risky if the wrong changes are made. Always back up the registry before making changes.

Common problems and troubleshooting

Problem 1: Default browser keeps resetting

If your default browser setting keeps reverting to the previous browser or Microsoft Edge, it may be due to interference from system policies or other software. Check the system policies applied through Group Policy or Local Security Policies. Sometimes, uninstalling and reinstalling the chosen browser may be necessary to resolve this issue.

Problem 2: Preferred browser is not listed

If your preferred browser is not listed in the default app settings, make sure it is properly installed on your system. Download the latest version from the official website and install it. Once installed, you will see it listed when you try to set the default browser.

Conclusion

Changing the default browser in Windows is a straightforward process that can be done through the Settings app, Group Policy, or the Windows Registry. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set your favorite browser as the default. Whether you prefer Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser, you now have the tools to make your browsing experience more efficient and enjoyable.

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