Setting Opera GX as your default browser on Windows

To make Opera GX your default browser on Windows, open Opera GX and go to Settings in the left sidebar. Click Browser, then scroll down to the Default browser section. Click the Make default button. Windows will open a settings window asking you to confirm the change — select Opera GX from the list and click Set as default.

If the button in Opera doesn't work, you can set the default through Windows Settings instead. Open Settings on your computer, go to Apps, then Default apps. Scroll down and click Web browser, then select Opera GX from the list that appears.

Once Opera GX is set as default, Windows will open it automatically when you click links in emails, documents, or other programs. You can change this back to another browser at any time using the same steps.

Setting Opera GX as your default browser on Mac

On Mac, open Opera GX and go to Opera in the menu bar at the top. Click Settings, then select Browser from the left sidebar. Scroll to Default browser and click Make default. Opera will ask for permission to make the change — click OK to confirm.

If you prefer to use System Settings, open System Settings on your Mac, go to General, then Default apps. Find Web browser and select Opera GX from the dropdown menu.

After you set Opera GX as default, macOS will use it to open web links from other applications. You can switch back to Safari or another browser using the same method whenever you want.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Opera GX Settings, click Browser, and select Make default, then confirm in the Windows settings window that appears.
  • On Mac, go to Opera Settings, click Browser, and select Make default, or use System Settings to choose Opera GX as your web browser.
  • Once set as default, Opera GX will open automatically when you click links in emails, documents, and other programs.
  • You can change your default browser back to another option at any time using the same steps in your operating system settings.
  • Some programs may ignore your default browser setting and open links in their own built-in browser — this is normal and depends on the program.

What happens when Opera GX is your default browser

When Opera GX is set as default, your operating system will route web links to it. This means clicking a link in Gmail, Outlook, a PDF, or a Word document will open that link in Opera GX instead of whatever browser you were using before. The same applies to links in messaging apps, news readers, and other programs on your computer.

Your default browser setting does not affect which browser you use when you manually open one. You can still open Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge by clicking their icons — setting a default just changes what happens when something else tries to open a link for you.

Why Opera GX might not be showing as an option

If Opera GX does not appear in your default browser list, the most common reason is that you have not fully installed it yet. Restart your computer after installing Opera GX, then try again — Windows and Mac sometimes need a restart to recognize a new browser.

On Windows, if Opera GX still does not appear, open the Microsoft Store and search for Opera GX. Some versions of Windows work better with the Store version than the direct read. On Mac, make sure you have dragged Opera GX into your Applications folder — if it is still in your Downloads folder, the system may not recognize it as installed.

Changing your default browser back

You can change your default browser at any time using the same settings you used to set Opera GX. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Web browser and select a different browser. On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default apps > Web browser and choose another option.

You do not need to uninstall Opera GX to switch away from it. The browser will remain on your computer and you can still open it manually whenever you want — changing the default just stops it from opening automatically when other programs need a browser.

When your default browser setting does not work

Some programs ignore your default browser setting and open links in their own built-in browser instead. Microsoft Teams, Slack, and some email clients do this. This is by design — the program is choosing to handle links itself rather than passing them to your system default. You cannot override this behavior without changing the program's own settings, and not all programs offer that option.

If a specific program keeps opening links in the wrong browser, check that program's settings for a browser preference. Some let you choose which browser to use, while others do not. If the option exists, it will usually be under Preferences, Settings, or Links.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Opera GX as default change my search engine?

No. Your default browser and your search engine are separate settings. Opera GX uses Google as its default search engine, but you can change this in Opera Settings under Search without affecting whether it is your system default browser. You can also keep a different browser as your default while using Opera GX for some tasks.

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

Windows and Mac do not support this natively. You can only set one default browser for all web links. Some third-party tools claim to offer this, but they are not reliable and can cause problems. The simplest approach is to set one default and manually open a different browser when you need it.

Does making Opera GX default affect my bookmarks or passwords in other browsers?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in whichever browser you saved them in. Changing your default browser does not move or delete data from other browsers. If you want to use your bookmarks in Opera GX, you can import them from another browser through Opera's import settings.

What if I share my computer with other people?

Each user account on your computer has its own default browser setting. If you change the default in your account, it will not affect other accounts. Each person can set their own default browser independently through their own Settings or System Settings.

Can I make Opera GX default on my phone?

Yes, but the process is different from desktop. On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Default Browser App and select Opera GX. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and choose Opera GX. The steps vary slightly depending on your phone model and operating system version.