How to Set Your Preferred Default Browser on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

If you've upgraded your PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11, you've likely noticed that clicking links to websites, PDFs, or other file types now opens everything in Microsoft Edge. Microsoft has ramped up its promotion of Edge as the default browser, overriding your previous preferences.

Usually, browsers like Google Chrome prompt you on first launch to become the default. In Windows 11, though, this leads to a more complex 'Apps > Default apps' settings page. Here's a straightforward guide to switch it based on real-world testing.

How to Change Your Default Browser

If Edge persists as your default and your preferred browser doesn't handle the switch automatically, follow these steps. This works for Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or any installed browser.

• Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
• Under "Set defaults for apps," scroll to your preferred browser or search for it. Click the app.

• You'll see a list of file types and protocols associated with the browser. Unlike Windows 10, you must reassign each one individually—no single-click option here.
• Find types linked to Edge, like .htm, .html, http, https, and .pdf. Click each to change.

• A "Before you switch" prompt may appear urging you to try Edge—select Switch anyway. Choose your preferred browser from the list (note: some file types may lack alternatives).

Note: Some browsers simplify this. For instance, Firefox prompted me on first launch and auto-set .htm, .html, http, and https. Edge retained .pdf, .shtml, .svg, .xht, and .xhtml.

Opening Edge afterward may prompt a revert—simply decline.

It Won't Fix Everything

Even after changes, some Windows 11 features like the Widgets panel (taskbar icon) open links in Edge. For example, news links in Widgets default to Edge.

To redirect these:

• Settings > Apps > Default apps.
• Scroll to "Choose defaults by link type."
• Search for "Edge" in the link types box.
• Click "Microsoft-Edge" > "Microsoft Edge," then select an alternative.

Chrome and Firefox may not appear as options, but Brave does—selecting it routes Widgets links there.

For broader fixes, try Edge Deflector (v1.2.3.0+ supports Windows 11). It intercepts Edge-specific links. In testing, it worked for most but had issues with Widgets graphs in Chrome—worth monitoring updates.

Update October 8, 2021 1:10 PM ET: Clarified browser default prompts.

Update October 10, 2021 10:30 AM ET: Added Brave browser instructions for specialized links.