Why you might want Chrome as your default browser
Your default browser is the program that opens automatically when you click a link in an email, a document, or anywhere else on your computer. Setting Chrome as your default means every link you encounter outside of a browser window will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser currently handles them.
You might want Chrome as your default if you use it most often, if you have bookmarks and passwords stored there, or if you prefer how it handles certain websites. The process takes less than a minute and you can change it back anytime.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but the idea is the same: you tell your operating system that Chrome is the program you want to use for web links.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Chrome settings, select "Default browser," and click "Make default" — Windows will then ask you to confirm the change.
- On Mac, open Chrome settings, click "Default browser," select Chrome from the list, and click "Open" — no confirmation needed.
- On Linux, right-click a link, select "Open with," choose Chrome, and check the box to make it the default for all links.
- You can change your default browser back to another program anytime using the same steps in reverse.
- Setting a default browser does not uninstall or disable your other browsers — they remain on your computer and you can still open them manually.
Setting Chrome as default on Windows
Open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu that appears. On the left side, click "Default browser."
You will see a button that says "Make default." Click it. Windows will open a dialog asking you to confirm that you want Chrome to be your default browser. Click "Yes" or "OK" depending on your Windows version. Chrome is now your default browser.
If the "Make default" button is grayed out or does not appear, Chrome is already set as your default. You can close the settings window.
Setting Chrome as default on Mac
Open Google Chrome and click "Chrome" in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select "Settings" from the dropdown. On the left side, click "Default browser."
A window will open showing a list of browsers installed on your Mac. Find Google Chrome in the list, click it to select it, and then click the "Open" button. Chrome is now your default browser. Close the window when you are done.
On newer versions of Mac (Big Sur and later), you may see a system preference window instead. Select Chrome from the "Default web browser" dropdown and close the window.
Setting Chrome as default on Linux
The process on Linux depends on your desktop environment, but the most common method works in most distributions. Right-click any link on a webpage or in a document. A menu will appear with an "Open with" option.
Click "Open with" and look for Google Chrome in the list. If you see it, click it. A checkbox or option should appear asking if you want to make Chrome the default for all links. Check that box. If Chrome does not appear in the list, you may need to browse for it manually by clicking "Other applications" or a similar option.
Alternatively, open your system settings and look for "Default applications" or "Preferred applications." Find the entry for "Web browser" and select Chrome from the dropdown or list.
What happens after you set Chrome as default
Once Chrome is your default, clicking any link outside of a browser window will open that link in Chrome. This includes links in emails, PDFs, documents, text messages, and system notifications. If Chrome is not already running, it will start automatically.
Your other browsers remain installed and functional. You can still open them manually and use them whenever you want. Setting a default browser does not remove or disable the others — it only changes which one opens automatically when you click a link.
If you have multiple user accounts on your computer, each account has its own default browser setting. Changing the default for one account does not affect the others.
Changing your default browser back
If you decide you want a different browser as your default, the process is identical. Open that browser's settings, find the "Default browser" option, and click the button to make it default. Your operating system will confirm the change and switch over when ready.
You can switch your default browser as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you can change it, and no penalty for doing so. Some people change their default browser depending on what they are doing — for example, using one browser for work and another for personal browsing.
Troubleshooting if Chrome will not become default
On Windows, if you see a message saying you do not have permission to change the default browser, your computer may be managed by an organization or school. Contact your IT department or administrator — they control which browser can be set as default on managed devices.
On Mac, if the "Open" button does not work, make sure Chrome is fully closed before trying again. Quit Chrome completely (not just closing the window), then return to System Preferences and try selecting Chrome again.
On any system, if Chrome does not appear in the list of available browsers, Chrome may not be installed correctly. Try uninstalling Chrome completely and downloading a fresh copy from google.com/chrome, then installing it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will setting Chrome as default delete my bookmarks in other browsers?
No. Setting a default browser only changes which program opens when you click a link. Your bookmarks, passwords, and data in other browsers remain exactly as they are. You can still access them by opening those browsers manually.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
No. Your operating system allows only one default browser for all web links. However, some browsers have features that let you open certain sites in a different browser automatically — check your browser's settings if you need this behavior.
What if I want to open a link in a different browser without changing my default?
Right-click the link and select "Open with" or "Open link in" from the menu. You will see a list of browsers installed on your computer. Click the one you want to use for that single link. Your default browser setting does not change.
Does setting Chrome as default affect my Google account or passwords?
No. Your Google account, saved passwords, and synced data work the same whether Chrome is your default browser or not. Setting it as default is purely about which program opens links automatically.
Can I set Chrome as default on a work or school computer?
It depends on your computer's setup. If your organization manages the device, they may have restricted which browsers can be set as default. Try following the steps for your operating system — if you get a permission error, contact your IT support team.