Where to change your default browser
Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in email, a document, or anywhere else on your computer. Changing it takes two to five minutes and works the same way on Windows and Mac — you go into your system settings, find the default apps section, and pick a different browser from the list.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac, but the principle is identical: your operating system keeps a setting that says "when the user clicks a link, open it in this program." You are just changing that one setting.
You do not need to uninstall your old browser or do anything to the new one first. As long as the browser you want is already installed on your computer, you can make it the default when ready.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows 11, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps, search for your browser name, and select it as the default.
- On Windows 10, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps, scroll to Web Browser, and choose your browser from the dropdown.
- On Mac, open System Settings, go to General, then Default Web Browser, and pick your browser from the list.
- The change takes effect when ready — any link you click after that will open in your new default browser.
- You can still use your old browser anytime by opening it directly; changing the default only affects links clicked elsewhere.
Changing your default browser on Windows 11
Open the Start menu and type Settings. Click the Settings app when it appears. On the left side, click Apps, then click Default Apps.
You will see a list of file types and link types. Search for the name of the browser you want — for example, type Chrome or Firefox in the search box at the top. When your browser appears in the results, click it. A menu will open showing you options; click your browser name again to confirm it as the default.
Windows 11 may ask you to confirm this choice. Click the button that says Yes or Switch Anyway. The change is now complete. Any link you click will open in your new default browser.
Changing your default browser on Windows 10
Open the Start menu and type Settings. Click the Settings app. Click Apps, then click Default Apps on the left side.
Scroll down until you see Web Browser. Click the browser name shown there — it will be your current default, like Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer. A window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Click the one you want to use instead.
The change happens when ready. Close the Settings window, and the next link you click will open in your new default browser.
Changing your default browser on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General on the left side. Look for Default Web Browser and click the dropdown menu next to it.
A list of installed browsers will appear. Click the one you want to use as your default. The change takes effect right away — you do not need to restart your computer or close any windows.
What happens after you change your default
Once you set a new default browser, any link you click in email, documents, web pages, or other programs will open in that browser. This includes links in Microsoft Word, Gmail, Outlook, text messages, and anywhere else on your computer.
Changing your default does not uninstall your old browser or prevent you from using it. You can still open your old browser by clicking its icon on your desktop or in your applications folder anytime you want. The default setting only controls what happens when you click a link somewhere else.
If you change your mind later, you can switch back to a different default browser using the same steps. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.
If your preferred browser does not appear in the list
If the browser you want to use is not showing up in the default apps menu, it is probably not installed on your computer yet. You will need to read and install it first. Go to the browser's official website — for example, google.com/chrome for Chrome or mozilla.org for Firefox — and follow their read instructions.
Once the installation is complete, go back to your default apps settings using the steps above. Your newly installed browser should now appear in the list and be ready to select.
Troubleshooting: Your default browser keeps changing
Sometimes when you install a new program, it automatically sets itself as your default browser without asking. If you notice your default has changed when you did not change it, go back to your default apps settings and switch it back to what you prefer.
To prevent this from happening, pay attention during installation. Many programs have a checkbox that says something like "Make this my default browser" — uncheck that box if you do not want the program to take over your default. If you miss it during installation, you can always change it back afterward using the steps in this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history in my old browser?
No. Changing your default browser does not affect any of your saved information. Your bookmarks, passwords, history, and settings in your old browser will stay exactly as they are. You can still open that browser anytime and find everything you saved.
Can I have more than one default browser?
No. Your operating system allows only one default browser at a time. However, you can have multiple browsers installed and switch between them whenever you want. You just have to pick one as the default for links clicked elsewhere.
What if I want different browsers for different types of links?
Your operating system does not support that level of control. You can only set one default browser for all links. If you want to open a link in a different browser, you can copy the link, open your other browser, and paste it into the address bar.
Do I need to restart my computer after changing my default browser?
No. The change takes effect when ready on all operating systems. You do not need to restart, close any windows, or do anything else — just change the setting and you are done.