How to Change Default Browser in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Your web browser is your gateway to the internet. It’s where you work, learn, and connect with the world. Naturally, you want to use the one that best fits your workflow, whether that’s Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another alternative. However, one of the most common frustrations with a new Windows 11 setup is that everything seems to open in Microsoft Edge by default.

While Edge has improved significantly, you shouldn’t be forced to use a browser you don’t prefer. In a notable shift from previous versions, Windows 11 made the process of changing your default browser more complex. Instead of a single switch, you now have to change a series of file and link type associations. It’s not difficult, but it is less intuitive than it used to be.

This guide will walk you through the entire process, step by step. We’ll cover the simplified method now available in recent Windows 11 updates, as well as the more detailed manual process. By the end, you’ll have complete control over which browser opens when you click a link.

This comprehensive guide will cover:

• The simplified one-click method for setting your default browser.
• A detailed manual walkthrough for changing individual file and link types.
• How to handle specific protocols like microsoft-edge://.
• Troubleshooting common issues and why your settings might not be sticking.

Before You Begin: Install Your Preferred Browser

This might seem obvious, but you can’t set a browser as the default if it isn’t installed on your computer. Before you proceed, make sure you have downloaded and installed the browser you wish to use. Popular options include:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Brave
• Opera

During the installation process, your new browser will likely ask if you want to set it as the default. If you see this prompt, it’s the quickest way to get started. It will often open the correct Windows Settings page for you automatically. If you miss that prompt or it doesn’t work, the rest of this guide is for you.

The Easy Method: The “Set Default” Button

Thankfully, after initial criticism about the complexity of this process, Microsoft has simplified it in recent updates to Windows 11. Most users can now change their default browser with just a few clicks.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

First, you need to navigate to the correct section within Windows Settings.

1. Click the Start Menu and select the Settings app (the gear icon).
2. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I shortcut to open Settings directly.

Step 2: Navigate to the Default Apps Section

1. In the Settings window, click on Apps in the left-hand sidebar.
2. In the Apps menu, select Default apps.

Step 3: Find and Select Your Browser

1. In the Default apps screen, you’ll see a search bar under “Set defaults for applications.” Type the name of the browser you want to set as the default (e.g., “Chrome”).
2. Click on your desired browser from the search results. This will open a page showing all the file types and link protocols it’s currently set to handle.

Step 4: Set as Default

1. At the very top of this page, you should see a banner that says “Make [Your Browser Name] your default browser” with a Set default button next to it.
2. Click the Set default button.

Windows will automatically change the most common web-related associations, including .htm, .html, HTTP, and HTTPS, to your chosen browser. For the vast majority of users, this single click is all you need to do. From now on, web links you click in emails, documents, and other applications should open in your preferred browser.

The Manual Method: Changing Individual File Associations

If the “Set default” button doesn’t appear or doesn’t work as expected, you’ll need to change the associations manually. This process gives you granular control but requires a bit more effort.

You’ll be on the same page as in the previous method (Settings > Apps > Default apps > [Your Browser Name]). Instead of clicking the button at the top, you’ll scroll down to the list of file and link types.

Step 1: Change the Key Web Protocols

The two most important associations to change are HTTP and HTTPS. These protocols handle all standard web links.

1. Scroll down the list and find HTTPS.
2. Click on it. A pop-up window will appear asking, “How do you want to open this?” It will show the current default (likely Microsoft Edge) and a list of other compatible browsers.
3. Select your preferred browser from the list and click OK.
4. A “Before you switch” prompt may appear, encouraging you to stick with Microsoft Edge. Click Switch anyway.
5. Repeat this exact process for HTTP.

Changing these two protocols will cover most of your daily web browsing needs.

Step 2: Change Common Web File Types

Next, you should change the default app for common web file types. This ensures that when you double-click a saved web page on your computer, it opens in the right browser. The most important ones are:

• .htm
• .html

Scroll through the list, click on each one, select your new browser, and click OK. You may also want to change others, like .pdf or .webp, if you prefer your browser to handle those file types as well.

Understanding the Process

When you manually change these settings, you are telling Windows, “When you encounter a link starting with HTTPS, do not use Edge; use Chrome instead.” This granular control is powerful but also the reason the process can feel tedious. By focusing on HTTP, HTTPS, .htm, and .html, you are covering over 99% of common web-related links and files.

The Final Frontier: Dealing with microsoft-edge:// Links

Even after setting your default browser, you may notice that certain links, especially those from within the Windows UI itself (like the News and Interests widget), still force-open in Microsoft Edge. This is because these links don’t use the standard HTTPS protocol. Instead, they use a specific microsoft-edge:// protocol that is hard-coded to open in Edge.

Unfortunately, Windows 11 does not provide a built-in way to reassign this specific protocol. It’s a locked-down system link designed to ensure certain Windows features integrate exclusively with Edge.

However, the tech community has developed third-party tools to intercept these links. One popular open-source option is MSEdgeRedirect. This lightweight tool runs in the background, detects when a microsoft-edge:// link is trying to open, and redirects it to your actual default browser.

Using a tool like MSEdgeRedirect is an advanced solution and should be approached with caution. Always download such tools from their official source (like the project’s GitHub page) to avoid malware. While effective, these tools are not officially supported by Microsoft and could be broken by future Windows updates. For most users, living with the occasional link opening in Edge is a simpler solution.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Problem: My settings won’t save, or they keep reverting to Edge.

This can happen after a major Windows update. Sometimes, an update will reset certain file associations back to Microsoft’s recommended defaults. If this occurs:

• First, try the simple “Set default” button method again.
• If that fails, run through the manual process of re-assigning HTTP and HTTPS.
• Check your browser. Some browsers, like Firefox, will display a notification at the top of the window if they detect they are no longer the default. Clicking this banner is often the quickest way to fix the settings.

Problem: The “Set default” button is missing.

If you are running an older version of Windows 11, this simplified button may not be present.

• Ensure your system is fully updated by going to Settings > Windows Update and clicking Check for updates. Installing the latest feature updates will likely add this functionality.
• If you can’t update, you must use the manual method to change each file and link type individually.

Problem: A specific app still opens links in Edge.

Some applications can be configured to ignore the system’s default browser setting.

• Check the settings within that specific application. For example, a messaging app might have its own “Open links in…” setting that needs to be changed.
• If no such setting exists, the application may be hard-coded to use Edge. In this case, there is little you can do besides contacting the app developer.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Browser

While Windows 11 initially made it more difficult to switch from Microsoft Edge, recent updates have restored a much-needed level of simplicity to the process. For most users, a single click on the “Set default” button is all it takes to reclaim your browser of choice.

For those who need more control or are running into stubborn issues, the manual method of changing individual file and protocol associations provides a definitive solution. By understanding how to manage these settings, you ensure that your PC’s gateway to the internet is the one you’ve chosen, providing a smoother and more personalized computing experience. Your browser is a personal choice, and with these steps, you can make sure Windows 11 respects it.