By default, Microsoft Edge is the default browser in Windows 11. That means, whenever you click on a link, it automatically opens in the Edge browser. However, if you wish to use another browser as your default browser, you can change the default browser setting in Windows 11. For example, maybe you want to use Google Chrome as your default browser in Windows 11. In that case, you can assign it as the default browser in Windows 11 settings and you are good to go.
In this quick and easy tutorial, I will show you two methods to change the default browser in Windows 11. You can follow either of the methods to get the job done. Let’s get started.
Before You Begin
- Before following the below steps, ensure you’ve installed the browser you want to set as default. For example, to set Chrome as your default browser, you need to install the browser before following the steps.
Why change the default browser in Windows 11?
While the Microsoft Edge browser is pretty good and can go toe-to-toe with other major browsers like Chrome, there are many reasons to change the default browser in Windows 11. For example, maybe you don’t like the Edge browser, are too used to the browser you are already using, have website compatibility issues, are dependent on an exclusive extension or add-on that’s not available in Edge, and more.
Whatever the reason, if needed, you can quite easily remove the Edge browser as the default and set your favorite browser in that place.
Steps to Change the Default Browser in Windows 11
- Launch the Settings app with “Windows key + I”.
- Choose “Apps” on the sidebar.
- Click the “Default Apps” option.
- Find and click the browser you want to set as default.
- Click the “Set default” button at the top.
- The default browser is changed in Windows 11 as soon as you click the button.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
First, as always, use the “Windows key + I” to open the Settings app. You can also click the “Gear” icon in the Start menu. Once the Settings app opens, go to the “Apps” tab on the sidebar and click the “Default Apps” option on the right page.
In the “Default Apps” page, scroll down, find, and click on the browser you want to set as the default browser in Windows 11. For example, I want to set Google Chrome as the default browser in Windows 11. So, I click on it.
In the app settings page, click the “Set default” button at the top to set the selected browser as the default in Windows 11. In my case, I’ve set Google Chrome as the default browser by clicking the button.
Change Default Browser Using File Type Settings (Alternative Method)
You can change the default browser in Windows 11 by modifying the file type setting. i.e., changing how Windows 11 handles specific file types such as HTML, HTM, HTTP, and HTTPS. This is the older method and is mainly intended for older Windows 11 versions or unsupported browsers. Here’s how to do it.
- Press the “Windows key + I” shortcut to open Settings.
- Select “Apps” on the sidebar.
- Click on “Default Apps“.
- Find and click the browser application.
- Click the “.htm” option.
- Select the browser from the list.
- Click “OK“.
- Do the same for the “.html“, “HTTP“, and “HTTPS” options.
- Close the Settings app.
- With that, you have changed the default browser on Windows 11.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
From the Start menu, open the Settings app. You can search for it or press the “Windows key + I” shortcut. You can also right-click on the start menu and choose the “Settings” option.
Go to the “Apps” > “Default Apps” page after opening the Settings app. As you can tell from the page name, this is where you can manage all the default app settings in Windows 11.
Once you are here, find and click on the browser you want to set as default. You can use the search bar under the “Set defaults for application” heading. I chose to set Google Chrome as the default browser.
On this page, click the “.htm” option, choose your browser, and click the “OK” button to save the change.
Click the “.html” option, choose your browser, and click the “OK” button to save the change.
Scroll down and click the “HTTP” option. Next, choose your browser and click the “OK” button to save the change.
Click the “HTTPS” option, choose your browser, and click the “OK” button to save the change.
(Optional) You can do the same for other protocols like PDF, FTP, SVG, SHTML, etc. For example, if you want to change the default PDF reader to Chrome, you need to click on the PDF option and choose Google Chrome. The same is true for other protocols.
Once you are done, close the Settings app. To verify, click on any web link or .html file. It should open in the new default browser. Alternatively, you can open your browser’s settings page to see if it is configured as the default browser. In the case of Google Chrome, go to the “chrome://settings/defaultBrowser” page. You should see the “Google Chrome is your default browser” message.
Troubleshooting Steps
I cannot see my browser in the Windows 11 apps list
If you cannot see your favorite browser on the “Settings > Apps > Default Apps” page, it is possible that you haven’t installed it in the first place.
To verify, try searching for the browser in the Start menu. Alternatively, open the Settings app, go to the “Apps > Apps & features” page, and see if you can find the browser in the list of installed applications.
If you cannot, I recommend you download and install the browser. After that, follow the above steps to change the default browser in Windows 11.
Wrapping Up — Changing the Default Browser in Windows 11
As you can see, you have two methods to change the default browser in Windows 11. Whichever method you follow, the final result is the same. Do keep in mind that even after changing the default browser, some links and options automatically open in the Microsoft Edge browser. For example, if you search for something in the Start menu and click on the web link, it will open in the Edge browser regardless of the current default browser.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will be happy to assist.
