Changing your browser takes 10 to 15 minutes and does not affect your computer or other programs
You can switch browsers at any time. Your old browser stays on your computer unless you remove it, and switching does not delete your files, email, or anything else. The main work is moving your bookmarks and passwords to the new browser, then setting it as your default so links open in the new one instead of the old one.
The process is the same whether you are moving from Chrome to Firefox, Safari to Edge, or any other combination. You read the new browser, import your saved information, and change which browser opens when you click a link.
Key Takeaways
- read the new browser from its official website, not from a search result or ad, to avoid fake versions.
- Most browsers can import bookmarks and passwords directly from your old browser during setup or through the settings menu.
- Set your new browser as the default in your computer's settings so links in email and documents open in the new browser.
- You can keep your old browser installed and switch between them, or uninstall it after confirming everything moved over.
- Your internet service provider and websites you visit cannot tell which browser you use, so switching does not affect your connection or accounts.
read the new browser from the official website
Go directly to the browser's official website rather than clicking a search result or ad. Fake read pages exist and can install unwanted software. The official sites are: mozilla.org for Firefox, google.com/chrome for Chrome, microsoft.com/edge for Edge, and apple.com/safari for Safari (Safari comes built in on Mac and iPhone).
Click the read button, choose your computer type (Windows or Mac), and run the installer file. The browser will install in your Applications folder (Mac) or Program Files folder (Windows). You do not need to restart your computer, though some browsers ask you to.
Import your bookmarks and passwords from your old browser
Open your new browser. Most browsers show an import option the first time you open them. If you see "Import bookmarks and settings" or similar, click it and choose your old browser from the list. The new browser will copy your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history automatically.
If you do not see an import option on startup, go to Settings or Preferences in the new browser's menu. Look for "Import" or "Import settings" — the exact name varies by browser. Select your old browser, choose what to import (bookmarks, passwords, history), and let it finish. This usually takes less than a minute.
Check that your bookmarks moved over by looking in the Bookmarks menu or Favorites section. If passwords did not import, you can enter them manually the first time you visit each site, or use your old browser to look up a password you forgot.
Set the new browser as your default
Your default browser is the one that opens when you click a link in email, a document, or another program. To change it on Windows, go to Settings, then Apps, then Default Apps. Scroll to "Web browser" and click it. Select your new browser from the list.
On Mac, open System Preferences, go to General, and look for "Default web browser" near the bottom. Click the dropdown and choose your new browser. You may need to enter your password to confirm the change.
After you set the default, test it by clicking a link in an email or document. It should open in your new browser. If it does not, restart your computer and try again.
Decide whether to keep or remove your old browser
You can leave your old browser installed and use both, or remove the old one to free up space. Keeping both lets you switch back if you run into a problem with the new browser, or use each one for different tasks. Removing it saves a few hundred megabytes of disk space.
To uninstall on Windows, go to Settings, Apps, Apps and Features. Find your old browser in the list, click it, and click Uninstall. On Mac, open Applications, find the browser, and drag it to the Trash. Empty the Trash to complete the removal.
Before you uninstall, make sure you have imported everything you need — bookmarks, passwords, and any saved files. Once you remove the browser, you cannot recover data from it.
Handle extensions and add-ons you were using
Extensions are small programs that add features to your browser — ad blockers, password managers, grammar checkers, and so on. They do not move automatically to a new browser. You will need to install them again in the new browser.
Open your new browser and go to its extension store: Chrome Web Store for Chrome, Firefox Add-ons for Firefox, Microsoft Edge Add-ons for Edge. Search for each extension you used, click Add or Install, and confirm. Most extensions are free and take seconds to install.
If you used a password manager extension (like Bitwarden or 1Password), install it in the new browser and sign in with your account. Your passwords will appear automatically. If you used a built-in password manager in your old browser, those passwords should have imported when you set up the new browser.
Troubleshoot if something did not move over
If bookmarks did not import, you can export them from your old browser and import them into the new one. In your old browser, go to Bookmarks or Favorites, look for Export or Backup, and save the file. Then open your new browser, go to Import, and choose that file.
If a website says you are not signed in after switching browsers, it means the site's login cookie did not transfer. Sign in again. The browser will remember you next time. If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page.
If links still open in your old browser after you set the default, restart your computer. Windows and Mac sometimes need a restart to explore the change. If it still does not work, go back to Settings and check that the new browser is actually set as default — sometimes the change does not save on the first try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will switching browsers affect my internet speed or connection?
No. Your internet service provider and the websites you visit cannot tell which browser you use. Speed depends on your internet connection and the website's server, not the browser. Some browsers use slightly less memory than others, which might make your computer feel faster overall, but the difference is usually small.
Do I need to change my passwords after switching browsers?
No. Your passwords are the same whether you use Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser. If you imported your passwords into the new browser, you do not need to change them. If you did not import them and had to sign in manually, you still do not need to change anything — you are just signing in with the same password you always used.
What happens to my old browser's history and cache?
Your old browser keeps its history and cache until you clear it or uninstall the browser. You can import history into the new browser during setup if you want to keep it. If you uninstall the old browser without importing, that history is deleted and cannot be recovered.
Can I use two browsers at the same time?
Yes. You can have multiple browsers installed and switch between them whenever you want. Some people use one browser for work and another for personal browsing, or use different browsers for different websites. There is no limit to how many you can have.
What if a website does not work in my new browser?
Most websites work in all modern browsers, but occasionally one is built for a specific browser. If a site does not load properly, try opening it in your old browser to confirm it is a browser problem and not an internet connection issue. If it works in the old browser, contact the website's support team and tell them which browser you are using. You can also try a different browser to see if the problem is specific to one.