How to set your default browser on Windows

The short answer

Open Windows Settings, go to Default Apps, find your preferred browser, and click “Set default” to make it your default for all web links.

How to change your default browser on Windows 11

  1. Open Settings (press Windows + I)
  2. Click Apps in the left sidebar
  3. Click Default apps
  4. Scroll down or search for the browser you want (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge)
  5. Click on it, then click Set default at the top

Windows 11 will now open all web links, HTML files, and related file types in your chosen browser.

How to change your default browser on Windows 10

The process is slightly different on Windows 10:

  1. Open Settings (press Windows + I)
  2. Click Apps
  3. Click Default apps in the left sidebar
  4. Scroll down to Web browser
  5. Click the current browser listed and select your preferred one from the dropdown

What if your browser isn’t showing up?

If the browser you want doesn’t appear in the list:

  • Make sure it’s fully installed — download it from the official website and run the installer
  • Restart your computer after installing a new browser
  • Check for pending Windows updates, as outdated systems can sometimes cause issues

When browsers keep asking to be the default

Most browsers will prompt you to set them as default when you first open them. You can either:

  • Click “Set as default” in the browser’s own prompt — this usually takes you to the Windows settings page
  • Ignore the prompt if you’re happy with your current default

If a browser keeps asking even after you’ve set it, go back to Settings > Default Apps and make sure all link types are assigned to the browser you actually want.