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 will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser is currently set. This is a one-time change that takes less than a minute.

You might choose Chrome as your default because you use it for most of your browsing, because it syncs with your Google account, or straightforward because you prefer how it works. The process differs slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a Chromebook — but in each case, the steps are straightforward and reversible.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Chrome settings, select "Default browser," and click "Make default" — Chrome will then ask your operating system to confirm the change.
  • On Mac, open Chrome settings, click "Default browser," and select Chrome from the system dialog that appears.
  • On Chromebook, Chrome is already your default browser and cannot be changed to another program.
  • After you make the change, test it by clicking a link in an email or document to confirm Chrome opens.
  • You can change your default browser back to another program at any time using the same settings.

Setting Chrome as default on Windows

Open Chrome and look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. Click those dots to open the menu, then select "Settings." On the left side of the screen, you will see several options — click "Default browser."

You will see a blue button that says "Make default." Click it. Windows will then show a dialog asking you to confirm that you want Chrome to be your default browser. Click "Yes" or "OK" depending on which version of Windows you have. Chrome is now your default browser, and any link you click outside of Chrome will open in Chrome instead.

If Windows shows a message saying Chrome is already your default, you are done — no further action is needed. If you see a message that another browser is currently set as default, the "Make default" button will replace it with Chrome.

Setting Chrome as default on Mac

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings," then click "Default browser" in the left menu. A dialog box will appear showing all the browsers installed on your Mac.

Find Chrome in that list and click the dropdown menu next to it, then select "Chrome." The system will confirm the change when ready. You do not need to restart Chrome or your computer — the change takes effect right away.

Chrome on Chromebook

If you are using a Chromebook, Chrome is already your default browser and you cannot change it to another program. Chromebooks are built around Chrome, so all links automatically open in Chrome. There is no setting to change this, and no other browser can be set as the default.

This is by design — Chromebooks are designed to work primarily with Chrome and cloud-based applications. If you need a different browser on a Chromebook, you can install it, but it will not become your default and links will still open in Chrome.

Testing that the change worked

After you make Chrome your default, test it to be sure. Open an email in Gmail or another email program and click any link. The link should open in Chrome. You can also open a document on your computer, click a link inside it, and watch Chrome launch.

If a different browser opens instead, the change did not take effect. Go back to Chrome settings and repeat the steps above. Sometimes Windows or Mac needs a moment to register the change, so try restarting your computer if the test does not work the first time.

Changing your default browser back

If you decide you want a different browser as your default, the process is the same. Open that browser's settings, find the "Default browser" option, and click the button to make it default. Your operating system will ask for confirmation, and the change takes effect when ready.

You can switch your default browser back and forth as many times as you want. There is no penalty for changing it, and your bookmarks and history in Chrome will not be affected if you switch to another browser as your default. Each browser keeps its own data separate.

What happens if you do not set a default

If you never set a default browser, your operating system will use whatever browser was installed most recently or came with your computer. On Windows, this is often Edge. On Mac, it is Safari. Links will still open in a browser — you just will not have control over which one.

Setting a default browser is optional, but it saves you the frustration of links opening in a program you do not want to use. It takes one minute and you can change it whenever you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default delete my other browsers?

No. Setting Chrome as your default browser does not uninstall or remove any other browsers from your computer. They will still be there and still work — they just will not open automatically when you click a link.

Can I set different browsers as default for different types of links?

No. Your operating system allows only one default browser. All links will open in whichever browser you set as default. Some browsers have extensions that let you choose which browser opens based on the website, but that requires extra setup.

What if Chrome is not showing up in the default browser list?

Make sure Chrome is fully installed on your computer. Restart your computer and try again. If Chrome still does not appear, uninstall it completely and read it fresh from google.com/chrome, then repeat the default browser steps.

Does setting Chrome as default affect my Google account?

No. Your default browser setting is separate from your Google account. You can be signed into Chrome and have a different browser as your default, or vice versa. The two settings do not affect each other.

Will my bookmarks move if I change my default browser?

No. Your bookmarks stay in whichever browser you saved them in. If you saved bookmarks in Chrome, they remain in Chrome even if you make Firefox or Safari your default browser. You would need to export and import them to move them between browsers.