How to Change Your Default Browser in Windows 11

By | November 14, 2021
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How to Change Your Default Browser in Windows 11

And it ain’t easy, folks!

Changing default browsers in Windows 11 is a Microsoft-planned, convoluted mess. They want you to use Microsoft Edge. They don’t want you to use Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, or anything else.  To keep you using Microsoft Edge, they’ve made changing browsers in Windows 11 a convoluted process.

How to change your default browser in Windows 11

Open Settings > Apps > Default apps and select the browser you want to be your default. In this example, we’re using Google Chrome.

Changing Default Browsers in Windows 11 - Cloudeight InfoAve

A page called Apps > Default apps > Google Chrome will appear. I’m showing it here as 3 different pages, but when you see it you’ll just keep scrolling down.

Changing Default Browsers in Windows 11 - Cloudeight InfoAve

Changing Default Browsers in Windows 11 - Cloudeight InfoAve

Changing Default Browsers in Windows 11 - Cloudeight InfoAve

The first item you’ll want to change is the file type called “.htm” which is the extension for a web page. Click the rectangle with the arrow (see below)…

Changing Default Browsers in Windows 11 - Cloudeight InfoAve

You may or may not get a warning that Microsoft Edge is the preferred browser – if you do just click “Switch anyway”. When you click on the square with the arrow,  click on the browser you want to switch to, then click on “OK”.

Changing Default Browsers in Windows 11 - Cloudeight InfoAve

You’ll have to do this at least four times for “.htm” “.html”, “http”, and “https”. Optionally you can choose PDF, .shtml. 

You can see we’ve changed the basics – just four extensions: .htm, .html, http, and https. From now on links and html files will open with Google Chrome instead of Microsoft Edge. You can do this with Firefox, Opera, Brave, Vivaldi, or most any other installed browser.

Changing Default Browsers in Windows 11 - Cloudeight InfoAve

Changing Default Browsers in Windows 11 - Cloudeight InfoAve

It’s easy to see why Microsoft made changing the default browser such a pain. Most people won’t bother with changing the default browser because it’s such an illogical and convoluted process.

And wait… just one more thing. After you’ve set your default browser to any browser other than Edge, occasionally you’ll get a warning that your browser settings need to be repaired or optimized. If you see that notification appear on your computer, don’t click it – just close it. If you click it, guess what? Microsoft Edge will be back as your default browser and you’ll have to go through all this again to change it.


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9 thoughts on “How to Change Your Default Browser in Windows 11

  1. D.

    Thank you for showing this.
    I doubt Microsoft will fix this unless they are made to.
    I hope Microsoft keeps doing well-thought-out things like this, and if we’re lucky, they will end up in court somewhere.

    Reply
    1. D.

      I’m still watching for a Third-Party fix on this, and it may not happen. I have already put back some Third-Pardy fixes for Windows 11 if I go to it later on.

      Reply
  2. Bigart

    Well I use Chrome and the box comes up that it is not my default browser and I just ignore it and go on with chrome.

    Reply
  3. Jill

    Another GREAT tip ! ! ! So far, MS has not changed my default browser. But, I’m saving the tip cuz ya never know whent they will.
    EX: I sure was surprised to learn my Music Player turned into Groove. It may be just fine, but was not MY preference.
    I agree with D ! !
    I’d like to manage my own computer – all by mself with TC and Darcy’s help, of course.

    Reply
  4. Jeff Turner

    Hi,
    Does one need MS Edge on their computer, or can it be uninstalled??
    I recently went from windows 7 pro to windows 10 and guess what, I’ve had Microsoft try and take over my computer—– including Edge!! Grrr!!
    I opened Edge to see what it looked like and of course, it wanted set itself as default browser, which I DID NOT ALLOW, and also, let them set it to their recommended security settings, which I decided to allow!! Grrr!!
    Well, guess what, it changed some of my default app settings, including my PDF reader (Flexi PDF) and my web browser from Chrome, to edge of course and goodness knows what else it’s done!!!
    Jeff.

    Reply
  5. Dawn Campbell

    Why can’t they just let “sleeping dogs lie!” I spend the better part of my day now on trying to figure where things have got to and why my computer is being such a dummy! It certainly isn’t the “fun” toy it used to be and there is so much info out there to be had IF we could find it. Rant over!

    Reply
  6. Philip Reeves

    Hi. I have decided not to update to windows 11 because I don’t want to go through the hassle of changing from Edge to chrome. What a hassle. Hey Microsoft, put that in your pipe and smoke it. Maybe that’s what’ s wrong. Hey Microsoft, what’s in that pipe you’ re smoking.

    Reply
  7. azjudy

    Agree with Dawn. I am no longer addicted to the computer. Use it only to research now. Judy W

    Reply

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