What "default browser" means and why it matters

Your default browser is the program that opens automatically when you click a link in an email, text message, or document. It is also the browser that opens when you type a web address into your computer's search bar without specifying which program to use. Right now, your computer has one set as default — it might be Edge, Safari, Firefox, or Chrome.

Changing your default to Chrome means Chrome will handle those automatic link-opening tasks instead of whatever program currently does. This is purely a preference: you can still open any other browser whenever you want. Changing the default just saves you the step of choosing Chrome manually each time.

The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a Chromebook. Each operating system stores this setting in a different place, but the process takes less than a minute on any of them.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps, find your current browser, and select Chrome as the replacement.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, find General, select Default web browser, and choose Google Chrome from the dropdown menu.
  • On Chromebook, Chrome is already your default browser and cannot be changed to anything else.
  • After you change the setting, test it by clicking a link in an email or document to confirm Chrome opens.

Changing your default browser on Windows

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, look for the left sidebar and click Apps.

In the Apps section, click Default apps near the top of the list. You will see a list of file types and protocols — scroll down until you find HTTP and HTTPS. These are the two protocols that handle web links. Click on whichever one is listed first (usually HTTP).

A window will pop up showing you all the browsers installed on your computer. Click Google Chrome. Windows will ask you to confirm; click the button that says Switch anyway or Yes. Repeat this step for HTTPS as well — click on HTTPS in the Default apps list and select Chrome again.

Close Settings. Chrome is now your default browser. To test it, open your email or a document with a link, click the link, and Chrome should open automatically.

Changing your default browser on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Mac versions). In System Settings, click General in the left sidebar.

Look for the section labeled Default web browser. You will see a dropdown menu showing your current default browser. Click the dropdown and select Google Chrome from the list. The change takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart your computer.

Close System Settings. To confirm the change worked, open Mail or another app with links, click a link, and Chrome should open.

What to do if Chrome does not appear in the default browser list

If you do not see Chrome listed as an option on Windows or Mac, it usually means Chrome is not installed on your computer yet. You will need to read and install it first before you can set it as default.

Go to google.com/chrome in your current browser, click the blue read Chrome button, and follow the installer. Once installation finishes, restart your computer, then return to the default browser settings and follow the steps above. Chrome should now appear in the list.

Changing your default browser on Chromebook

If you are using a Chromebook, Chrome is already your default browser and cannot be changed. Chromebooks run Chrome OS, which is built around Chrome, so all web links automatically open in Chrome. There is no setting to change this, and no other browser can be set as default on a Chromebook.

If you want to use a different browser on a Chromebook, you can still read Firefox or Edge from the Google Play Store and open them manually, but they cannot become the system default.

Testing that your change worked

After you change the default, test it to make sure the setting stuck. The easiest way is to open an email account (Gmail, Outlook, or whatever you use), find an email with a link, and click it. If Chrome opens, your default browser change worked.

You can also test by opening a document in Word or Google Docs, clicking a link in that document, and watching which browser opens. If anything other than Chrome opens, go back to your default browser settings and repeat the steps — sometimes the change does not take the first time, especially on Windows if you have multiple user accounts on the same computer.

Switching back to a different default browser

If you change your mind and want to use a different browser as default, the process is identical to what you just did. On Windows, go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and select a different browser. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Default web browser and pick a new one. The change takes effect 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 changing it does not uninstall any of your other browsers — they stay on your computer and you can still open them manually whenever you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history in other browsers?

No. Changing your default browser only changes which program opens automatically when you click a link. It does not affect any data in your other browsers. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords in Firefox, Edge, or Safari remain exactly as they were.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing the default browser?

On Mac, no — the change takes effect when ready. On Windows, you usually do not need to restart, but if Chrome does not open when you click a link right after changing the setting, try restarting and then test again.

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, you can always right-click a link and choose "Open with" to pick a specific browser for that single link.

What if I have multiple user accounts on my computer?

Each user account has its own default browser setting. If you are logged into one account and change Chrome to default, it only affects that account. Other people using the computer will need to change their own default browser settings separately.