How to Change Browsers on Your Windows Computer
Want to switch your default web browser on a Windows 10 or 11 PC? You can! Whether you're looking to switch to Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser, this guide walks you through how to install a new browser, change your default settings, and troubleshoot common issues. For any PC hiccups along the way, trust the team at PC Laptops—Utah’s go-to for expert computer help.
At A Glance – How to Change Your Default Browser on Windows 10 or 11
To change your default browser:
Install the browser you want (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, etc.) from its official site.
On Windows 10: Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Web browser and select your new browser.
On Windows 11: Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps, choose the browser, and click Set Default.
You can also use the browser’s own settings to prompt the change (e.g., Chrome > Settings > Default browser).
Troubleshooting tips:
Restart if the browser doesn’t show up.
Reinstall if it won’t stick as default.
Customize file type defaults (like PDFs or HTML) from the same Default Apps menu.
Maybe you're tired of Microsoft Edge opening every time you click a link. Maybe you’ve found a faster, more secure browser. Or maybe you just prefer how Chrome or Firefox syncs across devices. Whatever your reason, learning how to change default browser Windows settings puts you in control of your browsing experience.
Windows PCs let you choose your preferred browser for opening web links, and the process is relatively simple—especially with a bit of guidance.
Before you can make a new browser your default, you’ll need to install it first. Here’s how:
Open Microsoft Edge (or your current browser).
Search for the browser you want to install (e.g., “Download Chrome for Windows”).
Go to the official site (never download from a third-party site).
Click the Download button.
Once the file is downloaded, open it and follow the installation prompts.
After installation, your new browser is ready to go—but Windows won’t automatically use it for everything. That’s where the next step comes in.
Windows 10 makes it easy to switch default apps, including browsers.
Click the Start Menu and open Settings.
Go to Apps > Default Apps.
Scroll down to Web browser.
Click the current browser (likely Microsoft Edge).
A list of installed browsers will appear.
Click the one you want to use (e.g., Google Chrome).
That’s it! You’ve now completed your first major step in a typical browser setup guide.
Windows 11 originally made this process more complicated, but newer updates have simplified it.
Open Settings from the Start menu.
Go to Apps > Default Apps.
Scroll and select the browser you just installed (e.g., Firefox).
Click Set default at the top of the page to set it for all file types (.html, .htm, http, https).
If prompted, confirm your choice.
You’ve now made your preferred browser the system default for opening web content.
Most modern browsers will automatically ask if you want to set them as the default when you open them for the first time.
If you missed that prompt, you can manually trigger it:
Settings > Default browser
and click Make default.Settings > General
and click Make Default…Settings > Get Started > Default Browser
.This step often directs you to the Windows settings mentioned above, but it’s a quick shortcut.
Make sure you’ve successfully installed the browser. If it doesn’t appear in the list of apps:
Sometimes Windows tries to push users back to Microsoft Edge. If this happens:
Still stuck? This is where Utah computer help from PC Laptops can come in handy—we’re just a visit away.
Sometimes you want one browser to open general links and another to handle special file types like PDFs or FTP links.
Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps.
Scroll to your preferred browser and click it.
You’ll see a list of file types (e.g., .html
, .pdf
, .webp
).
Click on each one and select your desired browser.
This is particularly useful if you're using one browser for work and another for personal browsing.
Every time you switch from Edge, Windows might warn you that you're making a change. This is a feature—not a bug—and is designed to “encourage” users to stay with Microsoft products.
But remember: it’s your PC, your rules. Follow the steps above to install new browser PC users prefer and reclaim your online experience.
Now that you know how to change default browser Windows settings, you can surf the web the way you want. Whether you're aiming for speed, privacy, or just familiarity, switching browsers is a small step that makes a big difference.
And if your PC isn’t cooperating, or you want a smoother, faster experience overall—bring it in to PC Laptops. We’re the Utah computer help experts ready to keep your devices running at their best.
Need help with your PC?
Visit pclaptops.com or stop by a local PC Laptops store for fast, friendly support. We’re here to make tech simple.