Set Chrome as your default in Windows, Mac, or Linux
Making Google Chrome your default browser means Chrome opens automatically when you click a link in email, documents, or other programs. The steps differ slightly by operating system, but the process takes less than a minute on any of them.
On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps. Scroll down to Web browser, click your current default (usually Microsoft Edge), and select Google Chrome from the list that appears. Windows will ask you to confirm — click it again and you're done.
On Mac, open Chrome, click Chrome in the menu bar at the top left, select Settings, then click Default browser on the left side. Click "Make Google Chrome the default browser" and your Mac will switch it over.
On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment. In GNOME (Ubuntu's default), open Settings, go to Default Applications, and change Web to Google Chrome. In KDE Plasma, open System Settings, go to Startup and Shutdown, then Default Applications, and select Chrome for the Web Browser field.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users access the default browser setting through Settings > Apps > Default apps, then select Chrome from the Web browser dropdown.
- Mac users can set Chrome as default directly from Chrome's menu by clicking Chrome > Settings and selecting "Make Google Chrome the default browser."
- Linux users find the default browser setting in their desktop environment's system settings — usually under Default Applications or Startup and Shutdown.
- Once set, Chrome will open automatically whenever you click links in email, PDFs, or any other program on your computer.
What happens when you change your default browser
When Chrome becomes your default, it takes over from whatever browser was handling links before — usually Edge on Windows or Safari on Mac. This does not uninstall your old browser or delete your bookmarks there. You can still open other browsers manually and use them whenever you want.
The change affects only what happens when you click a link outside of a browser. If you're already in Firefox and click a link, Firefox stays open. If you're in an email program or a PDF viewer and click a link, Chrome launches. Some programs let you override this on a case-by-case basis, but the default setting handles the majority of situations.
Verify Chrome is actually set as default
After you make the change, you can confirm it worked. On Windows, go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and check that Web browser shows Google Chrome. On Mac, open Chrome and look at the top of the Settings page — it should say "Chrome is set as your default browser" in green text. On Linux, return to your system settings and verify Chrome appears in the Web Browser field.
If the change did not stick, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes the system needs a restart to register the change fully. If it still does not work, make sure you have the latest version of Chrome installed — older versions occasionally have trouble registering as default.
Why your default browser might change back
Windows and Mac sometimes reset your default browser when you install a new browser or when you update your operating system. This is not a bug — it is how the system is designed. If you notice Chrome is no longer your default after a major update, you can set it again using the same steps above.
Some programs also try to set themselves as default when you install them. If you install a new browser or a program that includes a browser component, check your default browser setting afterward to see if it changed. You can always switch back to Chrome using the same method.
Using Chrome profiles with different defaults
If you have multiple user accounts on your computer, each account can have its own default browser. Setting Chrome as default in your account does not change it for other users. If someone else logs in, their default browser remains whatever they set it to.
Chrome profiles (different sign-in accounts within Chrome itself) do not have separate default browser settings — the system-wide default applies to all of them. If you want different browsers for work and personal use, you would need to either create separate user accounts on your computer or manually open the browser you want each time.
Changing your default back to another browser
If you decide you want a different browser as your default, the process is identical. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, click Web browser, and select a different option. On Mac, open that browser's settings and look for a "Make [Browser] the default browser" button — most major browsers have one. On Linux, return to your system settings and change the Web Browser field.
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 affect your bookmarks, passwords, or any data stored in Chrome or any other browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will setting Chrome as default delete my bookmarks in other browsers?
No. Changing your default browser does not touch any data in other browsers. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay exactly where they are. You can still open other browsers and use them normally.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
Not through the standard system settings. Your operating system has one default browser for all links. Some advanced tools on Windows allow more control, but they require manual setup and are not built into the system.
What if I cannot find the default browser setting on my computer?
On Windows, make sure you are in Settings (not Control Panel). On Mac, open Chrome itself and look in the Settings menu — do not look in System Preferences. On Linux, the location varies by desktop environment, so search your system settings for "default applications" or "web browser."
Does setting Chrome as default mean I have to use it for everything?
No. You can still open any other browser manually and use it whenever you want. The default setting only controls what happens when you click a link outside of a browser window.