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How to change the default browser in Windows 10

Windows 10 ships with an integrated browser, but what if you don't want it as your default? We show you how to change the default browser in Windows 10.
By
May 25, 2019

Microsoft introduced a new integrated browser with the launch of Windows 10: Microsoft Edge. It’s billed to be lightweight and fast, but many PC owners may not like having an integrated browser forced in their faces. Choice is the key to happiness. We show you how to change the default browser in Windows 10.

Typically, when you install a new browser, it immediately requests you to set it as the default. That’s not ideal in the initial trial-and-error mode where you want to test-drive a browser before making a lifelong commitment. Our guide shows you how to manually set the default browser through the Settings and from within five popular web browsers.

This guide is based on Windows 10 version 1809 (October 2018 Update).

 

From the Settings app

Windows 10 access Settings

1. Click Start and select the “gear” icon on the Start Menu. This opens the Settings app.

Windows 10 Settings Apps

2. Select Apps.

Windows 10 Settings Default Apps

3. Select Default apps.
4. Scroll down to Web browser.
5. Click the current default browser.

Windows 10 Settings Choose a browser

6. Select a new browser in the pop-up window.

From Microsoft Edge (1809)

Microsoft Edge Settings Icon

1. Click the three-dot icon in the top right corner.

Microsoft Edge Settings Option

2. Select Settings in the rollout menu.

Microsoft Edge Change My Default

3. Click the Change my default button under Default browser on the General panel.

Windows 10 Settings Default Apps

4. Scroll down to Web browser in the Settings app.

Windows 10 Settings Choose a browser

5. Click the current default browser.
6. Select a new browser in the pop-up window.

From Google Chrome (74.0.3729.157)

Google Chrome Settings Icon

1. Click the three-dot icon in the top right corner.

Google Chrome Settings Option

2. Choose Settings in the drop-down menu.
Note: You can also enter chrome://settings in the address field.

Google Chrome Make Default

3. Scroll down to Default browser.
4. Click the Make default button.

Windows 10 Settings Default Apps

5. Scroll down to Web browser in the Settings app.

Windows 10 Settings Choose a browser

6. Click the current default browser.
7. Select a new browser in the pop-up window.

From Mozilla Firefox (66.0.5)

Mozilla Firefox Settings Icon

1. Click the triple-line icon in the top right corner.

Mozilla Firefox Settings Options

2. Select Options in the drop-down menu.
Note: you can enter about:preferences in the address field as well.

Mozilla Firefox Make Default

3. Click the Make default button on the General page.

Windows 10 Settings Default Apps

4. Scroll down to Web browser in the Settings app.

Windows 10 Settings Choose a browser

5. Click the current default browser.
6. Select a new browser in the pop-up window.

From Vivaldi (2.5.1525.43)

Vivaldi Logo Settings Button

1. Click the Vivaldi logo in the top left corner.

Vivaldi Tools Settings

2. Choose Tools in the drop-down menu.
3. Select Settings in the rollout menu.

Vivaldi Set as Default

4. Click the Set as Default button in the popup Vivaldi Settings General window.

Windows 10 Settings Default Apps

5. Scroll down to Web browser in the Settings app.

Windows 10 Settings Choose a browser

6. Click the current default browser.
7. Select a new browser in the pop-up window.

From Opera (60.0.3255.95)

Opera Logo Settings button

1. Click the Opera logo in the top left corner.

Opera Settings Option

2. Choose Settings in the drop-down menu.

Opera Make Default Browser

3. Scroll down to Default browser.
4. Click the Make default button.

Windows 10 Settings Default Apps

5. Scroll down to Web browser in the Settings app.

Windows 10 Settings Choose a browser

6. Click the current default browser.
7. Select a new browser in the pop-up window.

That’s our guide on how to change the default browser in Windows 10. For more tips and tricks, check out these guides: