By default, Windows opens every link, email, and document in Microsoft Edge — even after you’ve installed Chrome, Firefox, or another browser you actually prefer. Changing this is quick, but Windows 11 makes it slightly less obvious than it used to be, which is why so many people end up back in Edge without meaning to.
Quick answer: To change your default browser in Windows 11, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, search for your installed browser, select it, and click Set default at the top of its page. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, scroll to Web browser, and select your preferred browser from the list. Make sure the browser is already installed before you start — Windows can only set a default from apps already on your PC.
This guide covers the full process for both Windows versions, why Edge sometimes comes back after an update, and how to fix individual apps like Mail or Teams that keep opening links in the wrong browser. If you’re setting up a new PC in general, our guide on connecting a scanner to Windows covers another common setup step worth doing at the same time.
Before You Start
| Requirement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Browser already installed | Windows can only set a default from apps already on your PC |
| Windows updated to the latest version | Older builds may be missing the one-click “Set default” button |
| Administrator access (usually not needed) | Most default app changes don’t require admin rights, but managed/work PCs may restrict this |
How to Change Your Default Browser on Windows 11
1. Open Default Apps Settings
Press Windows key + I to open Settings, select Apps in the sidebar, then select Default apps.
2. Search for Your Browser
In the search box near the top, type the name of the browser you want to use — for example, “Chrome” or “Firefox” — and select it from the results.
3. Click “Set Default”
On updated Windows 11 builds, you’ll see a Set default button at the top of the browser’s page. Selecting it applies your chosen browser across all the major file types and links associated with web browsing in one click.
4. Check for Any Remaining File Types
If the Set default button doesn’t appear, or if some links still open in Edge afterward, scroll through the list of file types and protocols — particularly .htm, .html, HTTP, and HTTPS — and manually select your browser for any entry still showing Edge. Missing even one of these is the most common reason Edge appears to “come back” after you’ve already switched.
How to Change Your Default Browser on Windows 10
Windows 10 uses a single, simpler setting that covers everything at once:
- Select Start > Settings > Apps > Default apps
- Scroll down to the section labeled Web browser
- Select the current default (usually Microsoft Edge)
- Choose your preferred browser from the pop-up list
Unlike Windows 11, there’s no need to check individual file types separately — this one setting handles the change completely.
Why Edge Keeps Coming Back After an Update
This is one of the most common frustrations people report, and it has a specific, known cause: major Windows updates occasionally reset default app associations, particularly for web browsers, as part of the update process. It isn’t something wrong with your PC — it’s a known behavior that catches many users off guard after a feature update.
If you notice Edge has returned as your default after installing a Windows update, simply repeat the steps above to set your preferred browser again. There’s no way to permanently update-proof this setting, so it’s worth checking your default browser after any major Windows update if this has happened to you before. Windows updates can also reset other device settings at the same time — if your mouse or scrolling behavior suddenly feels different too, our guide on changing mouse scrolling settings in Windows covers how to fix that separately.
Fixing Apps That Still Open Links in Edge
Even after setting your system-wide default browser, certain built-in Windows apps — most commonly Mail, Teams, and some Microsoft 365 apps — can continue opening links in Edge specifically, because they sometimes reference the browser directly rather than following the system default.
- Open the specific app’s own settings menu and look for a “default browser” or “open links in” option, since some apps offer this as a separate, app-level setting. This same pattern — an app ignoring a system-wide setting — comes up elsewhere too, such as with certain apps overriding Windows’ scrolling behavior, as covered in our guide on Paint and other built-in Windows apps
- If no such option exists within the app, confirm that HTTP and HTTPS are both set to your preferred browser in Settings > Apps > Default apps, since this is what most apps defer to
- As a last resort, some browsers include their own settings option to register more aggressively as the system default — check your browser’s own settings menu under a section usually labeled “Default browser” or “Make default”
Advanced Method: Using PowerShell (For IT Admins and Power Users)
For managed environments or situations where the Settings app default option is restricted, Windows also allows scripting the default browser change through PowerShell, typically by simulating the same keyboard navigation a person would use manually within the Settings app. This method is intended for IT administrators deploying a standard browser configuration across multiple machines, such as during new PC setup or a logon script, rather than for everyday personal use — the standard Settings app method above is simpler and sufficient for almost everyone.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
My Browser Doesn’t Appear in the List
This means Windows doesn’t detect it as installed. Reinstall the browser directly from its official website, then check the Default apps list again — it should now appear as a selectable option.
Some Links Still Open in Edge After Changing the Default
Work through these checks in order:
- Confirm every relevant file type (.htm, .html, HTTP, HTTPS) is set to your browser individually, not just the general “Set default” button
- Check whether the link is opening from within a specific app (like Mail or Teams) rather than from the desktop or another browser, since some apps override the system default as described above
- Restart your computer — in some cases, a full restart is needed for the change to apply consistently across every app
The “Set Default” Button Is Missing
If you don’t see the one-click Set default button on Windows 11, your system likely needs a Windows Update. Go to Settings > Windows Update, install any pending updates, and check the Default apps page again afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my default browser on Windows 11? Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, search for your installed browser, select it, and click the Set default button at the top of its page. If some links still open in Edge afterward, check that .htm, .html, HTTP, and HTTPS are all individually set to your browser as well.
How do I change my default browser on Windows 10? Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, scroll to the Web browser section, select the current default, and choose your preferred browser from the pop-up list. This single setting covers the change completely on Windows 10.
Why does Microsoft Edge keep resetting as my default browser? Major Windows updates occasionally reset default app associations as part of the update process, which can bring Edge back even after you’ve changed it. This is a known behavior, not a sign of a problem with your PC — simply repeat the steps to set your preferred browser again after any major update.
Why do links in Microsoft Teams or Mail still open in Edge? Some built-in Windows and Microsoft 365 apps reference Edge directly rather than following the system-wide default browser setting. Checking that app’s own settings for a link-opening option, or confirming HTTP and HTTPS are both set correctly in Default apps, usually resolves this.
Do I need to install a browser before I can set it as default? Yes. Windows can only set a default browser from apps that are already installed on your PC. If your preferred browser doesn’t appear in the Default apps list, install it from its official website first.
Can I change the default browser without using Settings? For most people, the Settings app is the simplest and most reliable method. IT administrators managing multiple PCs can also use PowerShell scripting to set a default browser automatically, which is useful for new PC setup or standardized configurations, but isn’t necessary for everyday personal use.
Is it safe to switch away from Microsoft Edge? Yes. Changing your default browser only affects which app opens web links and files by default — it doesn’t affect your PC’s security in any meaningful way, as long as whichever browser you choose (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or another) is kept up to date.
Getting your default apps set up the way you want is part of making a new or updated PC feel like yours. If you’re also connecting new peripherals, our guide on connecting a scanner to Windows covers a similar device setup process. And if you access your PC remotely and notice your browser settings look different afterward, see our guide on connecting to your PC remotely on Windows for related settings worth checking.