What changing your browser means and why you might do it
Changing your browser means switching which program opens when you click a link or type a web address. Right now, you probably have one set as your default — the one that launches automatically. You can change it to a different browser without removing the old one.
People switch browsers for different reasons. You might want faster performance, better privacy controls, or because a website works better in one browser than another. Some browsers use less memory on older computers. Others sync your passwords and bookmarks across your phone and tablet more smoothly. You can keep multiple browsers installed and use whichever one suits the task.
The process takes less than a minute on either Windows or Mac. You do not need to uninstall anything first, and you can switch back anytime.
Key Takeaways
- Your default browser is the one that opens automatically when you click a link; changing it does not remove your old browser.
- On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and select your new browser from the list.
- On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default web browser and choose from the dropdown menu.
- You must have the new browser already installed on your computer before you can set it as default.
- Switching browsers does not affect your files, passwords, or other programs — only which one opens links.
How to change your default browser on Windows 10 or 11
Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default apps.
Scroll down until you see Web browser. Click on the browser name shown there — it will open a list of every browser you have installed. Click the one you want to use as your default. Windows will switch it when ready, and you can close Settings.
If the browser you want does not appear in the list, it is not installed yet. You will need to read and install it first using the method from the previous section in this guide.
How to change your default browser on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Default web browser.
A dropdown menu will show every browser you have installed. Click the one you want to use, and Mac will set it as your default. Close System Settings when you are done.
Like Windows, if your preferred browser does not appear in the dropdown, you need to install it first.
What happens after you change your default browser
Once you set a new default, links in emails, documents, and other programs will open in that browser instead of the old one. Bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in whichever browser you saved them in — they do not automatically move to the new default.
Your old browser remains on your computer and works exactly as before. You can still open it manually anytime you want. Some people keep two or three browsers installed and use each one for different purposes — for example, one for work and one for personal browsing.
Moving your bookmarks and passwords to a new browser
If you want your saved bookmarks and passwords in your new default browser, you can import them from the old one. Most browsers have an import feature built in. Open your new browser, look for a menu (usually three horizontal lines or dots in the top-right corner), and search for "import" or "import bookmarks".
The browser will ask which program to import from and what to bring over — usually bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history. Select what you want and click import. The process takes a few seconds.
If you cannot find the import option, the browser's help section or support website will show you exactly where it is. Different browsers place this feature in slightly different spots.
Switching back to your old browser if you change your mind
Changing your default browser again is just as straightforward as the first time. Follow the same steps — Settings > Apps > Default apps on Windows, or System Settings > General > Default web browser on Mac — and select your original browser from the list.
Nothing you did with the new browser is lost. Your old browser still has all its bookmarks, passwords, and history. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to uninstall my old browser to change my default?
No. You can keep as many browsers as you want installed at the same time. Changing your default only changes which one opens automatically — the old one stays on your computer and works normally if you open it manually.
What if I do not see my browser in the default apps list?
The browser is not installed yet. read and install it first using the steps from the previous section in this guide, then return to the default apps settings. It will appear in the list once installation is complete.
Will changing browsers affect my passwords or bookmarks?
No. Your passwords and bookmarks stay in the browser where you saved them. If you want them in your new default browser, use the import feature found in that browser's menu to bring them over from the old one.
Can I use different browsers for different tasks?
Yes. You can keep multiple browsers installed and open whichever one you prefer for each task. Only one can be your default (the one that opens automatically), but you can manually open any of the others anytime.
What if a website does not work in my new default browser?
Open that specific website in your old browser instead. You can keep both browsers installed and use whichever one works better for each site. Some websites are built to work better in certain browsers, and this is a normal solution.