What changing your default browser means
Your default browser is the program that opens automatically when you click a link in email, a document, or anywhere else on your computer. Right now, one browser is set as the default — usually the one that came with your device. Changing it means picking a different browser to be the one that opens those links instead.
This is a one-time change you make in your operating system settings, not in the browser itself. Once you set a new default, every link you click will open in that browser until you change it again. You do not need to uninstall your old browser — both can live on your computer at the same time.
The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a Chromebook, because each operating system stores this setting in a different place. The process takes about two minutes once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Your default browser is the one that automatically opens when you click links, and you change it through your operating system settings, not through the browser itself.
- On Windows, you change the default in Settings under Apps, then Default Apps, then Web Browser.
- On Mac, you change the default in System Settings under General, then Default Web Browser.
- On Chromebook, you cannot change the default browser because Chrome is the only option built into the system.
- You can keep multiple browsers installed on your computer and switch your default whenever you want.
How to change your default browser on Windows
Open the Windows Settings menu by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then press Enter. The Settings window will open. On the left side, you will see a menu — click on Apps.
Inside Apps, look for Default Apps in the left menu and click it. You will see a list of different types of programs — email, calendar, maps, and others. Scroll down until you find Web Browser. Click on it, and a window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Click the one you want to be your default, and Windows will switch it when ready. You can close Settings after that.
If the browser you want does not appear in the list, it may not be installed yet. You would need to read and install it first from the browser's official website, then return to this same Settings screen to set it as default.
How to change your default browser on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. In the left sidebar, click General. On the right side, scroll down until you see Default Web Browser. Click the dropdown menu next to it, and you will see a list of browsers installed on your Mac. Select the one you want, and the change takes effect when ready.
Close System Settings when you are done. The next time you click a link anywhere on your Mac, it will open in your new default browser.
What to do if your preferred browser does not appear
If you have downloaded a browser but it does not show up in the default browser list, the browser may not have finished installing properly. Restart your computer and check the list again — sometimes the operating system needs to refresh to see a newly installed program.
If restarting does not help, uninstall the browser completely and read it again from the official website. Make sure you are downloading from the real website, not a third-party read site, because some third-party sites bundle extra software that can cause installation problems. For example, read Chrome from google.com/chrome, Firefox from mozilla.org, and Edge from microsoft.com/edge.
Changing your default browser back
You can change your default browser as many times as you want. Some people switch between browsers depending on what they are doing — using one for work and another for personal browsing. The process is identical each time: go back to the same settings screen and pick a different browser from the list.
Changing your default does not delete or uninstall your old browser. You can still open it manually by clicking its icon on your desktop or in your applications folder. The default setting only controls which browser opens automatically when you click a link.
Why your browser might not stay as default
Occasionally, a browser will reset itself as the default without you changing it. This usually happens after a major update to Windows or Mac, when the operating system resets several settings to its factory state. If you notice your browser has changed back, straightforward go through the steps above again to set your preferred browser as default.
Some browsers also have a setting inside the browser itself that says "Make this my default browser" — clicking that button will do the same thing as going through your operating system settings, so either method works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have two default browsers at the same time?
No, only one browser can be the default at a time. However, you can keep multiple browsers installed and switch which one is default whenever you want. You can also manually open a different browser by clicking its icon instead of clicking a link.
Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords?
No, changing your default browser does not affect any of your data. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in whichever browser you saved them in. If you switch to a different browser, you will need to set up your bookmarks and passwords in that browser separately, but your old browser's data remains untouched.
What if I cannot find the default browser setting?
Make sure you are in the right place: on Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and scroll to find Web Browser. On Mac, go to System Settings > General and scroll down to Default Web Browser. If you still cannot find it, restart your computer and try again — sometimes the settings menu needs to refresh.
Do I need to uninstall my old browser when I change the default?
No, you can keep every browser you have installed. Changing the default only changes which one opens automatically when you click links. You can still open your old browser manually whenever you want by clicking its icon.