How to change the default browser on Windows 11
Windows 11 ships with the Microsoft Edge browser as the default browser. It’s Chromium based and many seem to think it’s better than Chrome. You can still install any other browser of your choice on Windows 11 and set it as the default browser. The process is a bit time consuming but you only have to do it once.
Default browser on Windows 11
In order to change the default browser on Windows 11, you need to first install the app. Pick whichever browser you like to use; Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc.
Change default browser – Windows 11
To change the default browser on Windows 11, follow these steps.
- Open the Settings app with the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
- Go to Apps from the column on the left.
- Select Defaults apps.
- Go through the list of apps and select the browser you want to set as the default browser.
- Select each file type and click the options button (arrow button that looks like a share icon).
- Select Switch Anyway if Windows 11 tries to get you to stick to using Microsoft Edge.
- Select the browser you want to use from the list.
- Repeat this for all file types, protocols, and links that a browser handles.
- For unallocated file types, click the Choose a default option.
- Select the browser you want to use.
Note: you do not need to change the default browser for all file types. Changing it for common internet file types and commands will be enough e.g. HTM, HTML, MailTo, HTTP, and HTTPS.
You can also change the default browser for a particular file type by using the search feature in the Settings app.
- Open the Settings app with the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
- Go to Apps from the column on the left.
- Select Default apps.
- In the search bar at the top, enter a file type like this: .html (make sure you enter the period before the file type).
- Select the browser/app that appears in the results.
- From the pop-up, select the browser you want to use in its place.
- Click OK.
Note: you can use this method to change the default app for all types of files and apps.
Conclusion
Windows 11 gives users more control over which files will be handled by their default browser. Users can choose to keep Edge as the default browser for certain file types and change it for others. The process is longer because there is no option to change everything with one click like there was in Windows 10. That said, Windows 11 makes it much easier to find and change the default app for a particular file type compared to Windows 10.
