How to Change the Default Browser in Windows 11 [Guide]

While the overhauled UI in Windows 11 is eliciting a mixed response, the removal of a myriad of features is enraging many Windows users. First, nosotros learned that the Refresh button is missing and subconscious within the context carte du jour in Windows 11. And now, fifty-fifty a basic task, like setting the default app, has also become more confusing than ever. So if you are wondering how you tin can set the default browser in Windows 11, nosotros have got you covered. Follow this pace-past-footstep guide to change your default browser in Windows 11.

Change Default Browser in Windows eleven (2021)

Windows 11 may have brought along some interesting new features, but it has also made many things unnecessarily convoluted for reasons best known to Microsoft. The ability to set a default app seems to be 1 of those areas that are at present way more than complicated than information technology ever was in earlier versions of the Bone. But fright not, check out this tutorial to learn how you change the default browser in Windows 11.

Note: This tutorial is meant for the official preview version of Windows 11 that rolled out in June 2021 through the Insider channel. The methods described here may or may not hold true for the final RC/ RTM versions of the Bone.

Install a Third-political party Web Browser of Your Selection

Microsoft Edge is the default spider web browser in Windows 11. The first pace towards changing that would be to install a browser of your pick. There are a plethora of high-quality 3rd-party browsers available on Windows, including Chrome (Gratuitous), Firefox (Free), Opera (Free), and many more.

Whatever browser that's uniform with Windows 10 is also compatible with Windows 11. So install the web browser of your choice and follow the guide below to change the default browser in Windows 11.

Note: We are using Google Chrome for demo purposes here. The process will remain identical for Firefox, Opera, or any other browser. If you lot practice not like Google Chrome because of all the privacy implications, check out the best Chrome alternatives you tin can use on Windows.

Steps to Gear up the Default Browser in Windows 11

First off, open Settings (utilize Windows keyboard shortcut Win + I) and go to the "Apps" tab from on the left pane. Then, click on "Default apps" from the right pane.

Note: You can also click on the "Make Default" button within Chrome (or Firefox) settings to straight get to the Default apps page in Windows xi.

Now, in the "Search Apps" field, input the name of the app that is currently the default browser on your Windows xi PC. In my case, it is Mozilla Firefox, merely if you are unsure, it is probable to exist Microsoft Edge.

Note: The default browser in Windows 11 is Edge Chromium, so yous need to search for Microsoft Border here if yous take make clean installed the Bone. If you have upgraded from an existing Windows x installation, your default settings have carried over, and then you need to search for your default browser app in Windows 10.

You will at present exist presented with a list of extensions and file types, including .html, .svg, .pdf, .php, and more, for which Firefox is the default app. Click on the extensions one at a time and use the pop-up menu to change the default to the browser you want to employ in Windows 11.

Once you modify the default browser for all extensions, restart your Windows xi PC. Chrome will now be the default app to open all those extensions and file types, making it the default web browser on your Windows xi installation.

Notation: In my experience, the process of changing the default browser in Windows 11 is non only unnecessarily long-drawn just also extremely buggy. You lot take to try the same steps multiple times for the changeover to work as expected. That's especially true when you endeavor to revert your changes and get dorsum to your original settings.

Change Default Browser From Microsoft Border to Google Chrome in Windows xi

The lack of a one-click option to set a default browser in Windows 11 is abrasive. We hope Microsoft will rectify that in the concluding RTM version of the OS, set to release later this year. Y'all can bank check out when your PC will get the Windows 11 update correct here. With that said, you now know how to modify the default browser in Windows eleven. Fifty-fifty though the process is boring, y'all will hopefully be able to use your browser of option instead of being forced to employ Microsoft's default option.

If you are looking to undo some of the other Windows 11 changes no one asked for, bank check out how you tin switch back to a Windows ten-style Kickoff Carte du jour design. If even that doesn't impress y'all, learn how to downgrade to Windows x from Windows xi. On the other hand, if you are perfectly happy with Microsoft Edge and want to keep using it, check out how to enable Efficiency Mode in Microsoft Edge to improve battery life.