What changing your browser means

Changing your internet browser means switching from one program you use to visit websites to a different one. If you currently open the internet through Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, you can switch to any of the others — or to a different browser entirely. The websites you visit stay the same. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history can move with you, though you may need to transfer them manually depending on which browsers you're switching between.

Your browser is just the tool that displays web pages. Changing it doesn't affect your internet connection, your email, or anything else on your computer — only how you access websites. You can even have multiple browsers installed at the same time and use whichever one you prefer for different tasks.

Key Takeaways

  • read a new browser from the official website (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge), install it, and it will appear as a new program on your computer.
  • Your old browser stays on your computer unless you uninstall it, so you can keep both if you want.
  • Bookmarks and passwords can be imported from your old browser during setup, though the process differs slightly for each browser.
  • You can set a new browser as your default so links from emails and other programs open in it automatically.
  • The most common browsers are Chrome (made by Google), Firefox (made by Mozilla), Safari (built into Mac), and Edge (made by Microsoft).

How to read and install a new browser

Go to the official website for the browser you want. For Chrome, visit google.com/chrome. For Firefox, go to mozilla.org/firefox. For Edge, visit microsoft.com/edge. For Safari, it comes built into Mac computers — you don't read it separately.

Click the read button on the website. A file will read to your computer (usually to your Downloads folder). Open that file and follow the on-screen instructions. The installation takes a few minutes. When it finishes, the new browser will appear in your applications or programs list, and you can open it like any other program.

On Windows, you'll find it in your Start menu. On Mac, look in your Applications folder. You can also create a shortcut on your desktop if you want faster access.

Moving your bookmarks and passwords

When you first open your new browser, it will ask if you want to import data from another browser. If you say yes, you can bring over your bookmarks (saved websites), passwords, and browsing history. The exact steps vary by browser, but the option is usually offered during the first launch.

If you missed that option, you can import manually. In Chrome, go to Settings, then Import Bookmarks and Settings. In Firefox, go to Bookmarks, then Show All Bookmarks, then Import and Backup. In Edge, go to Settings, then Import Data. Each browser will let you choose which old browser to import from and what data to move.

Passwords are usually imported automatically if you choose that option, but some browsers handle them differently. If your passwords don't transfer, you can reset them on individual websites — most have a "Forgot Password" link on the login page.

Setting your new browser as the default

The default browser is the one that opens automatically when you click a link in an email, a document, or another program. To change your default, the steps depend on your operating system.

On Windows: Go to Settings, then Apps, then Default Apps. Scroll down to Web Browser and click it. Select your new browser from the list.

On Mac: Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), go to General, then scroll down to Default Web Browser. Click the dropdown and choose your new browser.

After you set the default, links will open in your new browser automatically. You can still open your old browser anytime if you want — changing the default doesn't remove it.

Uninstalling your old browser (optional)

You don't have to remove your old browser. Many people keep multiple browsers installed and use different ones for different purposes. But if you want to free up space or simplify your computer, you can uninstall it.

On Windows: Go to Settings, then Apps, then Apps and Features. Find your old browser in the list, click it, and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to remove it.

On Mac: Open Finder, go to Applications, find your old browser, and drag it to the Trash. Then empty the Trash to complete the removal.

Uninstalling a browser doesn't affect your bookmarks or passwords in the new browser — they stay where you imported them. It also doesn't affect any websites or your internet connection.

Choosing between the main browsers

Chrome is the most widely used. It syncs across devices if you have a Google account, loads pages quickly, and works the same way on Windows and Mac. The tradeoff is that it uses more computer memory than some alternatives.

Firefox is made by a nonprofit and focuses on privacy. It uses less memory than Chrome and lets you customize how it looks and works. It's a solid choice if you want something lighter or more private.

Safari comes built into Mac and works seamlessly with other Apple devices. If you use an iPhone or iPad, Safari syncs your bookmarks and passwords across all your Apple devices automatically. It's not available for Windows.

Edge is Microsoft's browser and comes built into Windows. It's fast, uses less memory than Chrome, and integrates with Microsoft accounts and services. If you use Windows and Microsoft Office, Edge works smoothly with both.

What happens to your old data

Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in your old browser unless you delete them. If you import them into your new browser, they exist in both places — importing doesn't remove them from the old one. If you later uninstall the old browser, those files are deleted, but your imported data remains in the new browser.

Your internet history (the websites you've visited) is stored separately in each browser. If you want your new browser to have the same history as your old one, you'll need to import it during setup. Otherwise, your new browser starts with a blank history and only tracks sites you visit from that point forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall my old browser before installing a new one?

No. You can have multiple browsers installed at the same time. Many people keep two or three browsers on their computer and use whichever one they prefer for different tasks. You only need to uninstall if you want to free up space.

Will changing browsers affect my email or other programs?

No. Your email account, documents, and other programs work the same way. The only thing that changes is which program opens when you click a web link. If you set your new browser as the default, links will open in it instead of your old one.

What if my passwords don't import to the new browser?

You can reset them on individual websites using the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. Most websites send a reset link to your email within a few minutes. You only need to do this once per website — after you reset and log in, the new browser can save the password for next time.

Can I switch back to my old browser later?

Yes. You can uninstall your new browser and reinstall your old one anytime. Your bookmarks and passwords in the old browser are still there (unless you deleted them). You can also keep both browsers and switch between them whenever you want.

Is one browser faster than the others?

All major browsers load websites at similar speeds for most people. The difference you'll notice depends on your computer's memory and your internet connection. Chrome and Edge are generally fast but use more memory. Firefox uses less memory and is a good choice if your computer is older or slower.