How To Change The Default Browser in Windows 11

How to Change the Default Browser on Windows 11

Windows 11, Microsoft's latest operating system, comes pre-installed with Microsoft Edge as the default web browser. Edge is integrated deeply into the Windows experience, but many users prefer to switch to a different browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Brave, Opera, or others. Changing the default browser in Windows 11 is slightly different from previous versions, and in this guide, we will explore the step-by-step process of changing the default browser along with other browser-related customizations.

Step 1: Installing the Browser of Your Choice

Before changing the default browser, you need to install the browser that you want to use. The steps to install a browser are similar for most browsers.

1. Download the Browser:  

•    Open Microsoft Edge (since it is the default browser initially).
•    Navigate to the official website of the browser you want to install, for example:
•      Google Chrome: [chrome.google.com](https://www.google.com/chrome/)
•      Mozilla Firefox: [mozilla.org](https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/)
•      Brave: [brave.com](https://brave.com/)
•      Opera: [opera.com](https://www.opera.com/)
•    Click the Download button and save the installer file to your PC.

2. Run the Installer:  

•    Once the file has been downloaded, click on the installer in your Downloads folder or directly from the browser.
•    Follow the on-screen instructions to install the browser.

After the browser is installed, it’s ready to be set as the default browser.

Step 2: Changing the Default Browser via Settings

Changing the default browser in Windows 11 requires adjusting several file and protocol associations. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Settings:  

•    Press the Windows + I keys or right-click the Start button and select Settings.

  2. Navigate to Default Apps:  

•    In the Settings window, select Apps from the left sidebar.
•    In the Apps section, click on Default apps.

3. Select Your Preferred Browser:  

•    In the Search apps bar, type the name of the browser you installed (e.g., Google Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Opera).
•    Click on the browser's name when it appears in the list.

4. Change File and Link Associations:  

•    You’ll now see a list of file types and protocols that can be associated with your default browser. These include:
•      htm
•      html
•      http
•      https
•      pdf (if you want to open PDFs in your browser)
•    For each of these file types and protocols, click on Microsoft Edge (the default setting), and then choose your new browser from the list of apps.

5. Confirm the Change:  

•    A pop-up window may appear asking you to confirm your choice. Click Switch anyway or OK to confirm the change.
•    Repeat this process for all the file types and protocols you wish to associate with your new browser.

6. Set the Default Browser for HTTP/HTTPS:

•    Scroll to find HTTP and HTTPS. These are crucial if you want all web links to automatically open in your preferred browser.
•    Click on Microsoft Edge next to HTTP and change it to your new browser.
•    Do the same for HTTPS.

After completing these steps, Windows will recognize the selected browser as the default for web browsing.

Step 3: Verifying the Change

Once you’ve set your new default browser, it’s a good idea to confirm that everything is working as expected.

Test a Web Link:  

•   Click on a link in an app like Mail or Microsoft Teams to ensure it opens in your new default browser instead of Microsoft Edge.

 

• Check Different File Types:  

  Open `.htm`, `.html`, and `.pdf` files from File Explorer and see if they launch in the new browser.

 

• Restart if Necessary:  

  In rare cases, a restart may be required to finalize the changes.

Step 4: Changing the Default Browser for Other Windows Features

Even after you change the default browser, certain links within the Windows interface may still open in Microsoft Edge. For example, links from the Windows Widgets or the Search bar may still launch Edge. To completely switch away from Edge, additional steps or third-party tools may be necessary.

Using Third-Party Tools to Redirect Edge Links

Microsoft has designed certain elements of Windows 11 to default to Microsoft Edge, regardless of your chosen browser. However, you can use third-party tools to bypass these restrictions.

 

One such tool is EdgeDeflector, which redirects links that would normally open in Microsoft Edge to your default browser instead.

 Steps to Install and Use EdgeDeflector:

1. Download EdgeDeflector:

•    Go to the official GitHub page of EdgeDeflector or download it from a reputable source.

  2.Install EdgeDeflector:

•    Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to install EdgeDeflector.

3. Set EdgeDeflector as the Default App for Microsoft Edge Links:

•    After installing EdgeDeflector, go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
•    Scroll down and find Microsoft Edge in the list.
•    For the MICROSOFT-EDGE protocol, click on it and change it to EdgeDeflector.

This will ensure that links meant to open in Microsoft Edge will now open in your default browser.

Step 5: Additional Browser Customizations

Changing the default browser is just one part of personalizing your browsing experience. Below are a few additional settings you might want to explore:

Changing the Default Search Engine

If you’ve changed your default browser, you may also want to change the default search engine from Bing to another engine like Google, DuckDuckGo, or Yahoo.

1. For Google Chrome:

•    Open Chrome.
•    Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, then select Settings.
•    In the Search engine section, click on Manage search engines and select the search engine of your choice.

   2. For Mozilla Firefox:

•  Open Firefox.
•    Click the hamburger menu in the upper-right corner and select Settings.
•    In the Search section, choose your preferred search engine from the dropdown list.

 

Customizing Startup Behavior

Many browsers allow you to configure what happens when the browser starts.

• Opening a Specific Page:  

  You can set your browser to open a specific page or set of pages on startup (e.g., Gmail, News, or your favorite social media platform).

•   Continue Where You Left Off:  

  Some browsers allow you to resume your previous session, so all the tabs you were using will reopen the next time you start the browser.

Homepage Settings:  

  Most browsers let you set a specific homepage. Go to your browser’s settings and look for options related to the homepage to change it.

 

Conclusion

 

Changing the default browser in Windows 11 involves a few extra steps compared to previous versions of Windows, but it remains a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily set your preferred browser for all web-related tasks. Additionally, using tools like EdgeDeflector ensures that you can fully bypass Microsoft Edge if desired. Customizing your browser experience, from default search engines to home

page settings, will allow you to tailor the browsing experience to your needs, helping improve productivity and convenience.