Open Settings and find the Default Apps menu

Windows 10 stores your default browser setting in the Settings app, not in the browser itself. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Once it opens, select Apps from the left menu.

In the Apps section, look for Default apps in the left sidebar and click it. This page shows which program handles different file types and links — including your web browser. The browser entry appears near the top of the list, usually showing your current default (often Microsoft Edge if you haven't changed it).

Key Takeaways

  • Your default browser is set in Settings under Apps > Default apps, not in the browser program itself.
  • Click the current browser name to see a list of installed browsers you can switch to.
  • Windows 10 remembers your choice and uses it whenever you click a link outside a browser.
  • If your preferred browser doesn't appear in the list, you may need to install it first.
  • Changing the default browser takes about 30 seconds and requires no restart.

Click your current browser to see other options

Click on the name of your current default browser (the blue text that shows which one is active). A small window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Common options include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

Select the browser you want to use as your default. Windows 10 will switch to it when ready — no restart needed. The change takes effect right away, so the next time you click a link in an email or document, it will open in your newly selected browser.

What to do if your browser isn't listed

If the browser you want doesn't appear in the list, it either isn't installed on your computer or Windows 10 hasn't registered it yet. The fastest fix is to open the browser you want to use and look for a settings or preferences menu. Most browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Opera) have an option that says "Make this my default browser" or similar.

Click that option and the browser will register itself with Windows 10 and become your default in one step. If you don't see that option, the browser may not be fully installed. Uninstall it completely using Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, then read and reinstall it from the official website.

Verify the change worked

To confirm your new default browser is active, open an email or document with a link in it and click the link. It should open in the browser you just selected. If it opens in the old browser instead, go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and check that your choice was saved. Sometimes Windows 10 reverts to Edge if a browser wasn't fully installed.

If the problem persists, restart your computer and try again. Windows 10 occasionally needs a restart to fully register a browser change, especially if you just installed the browser for the first time.

Why Windows 10 uses a default browser

When you click a link in email, a document, or a chat app, your computer needs to know which browser to open. The default browser setting tells Windows 10 which program to use. Without a default set, you would have to manually choose a browser every single time.

The default browser also handles web links in other programs — for example, if you click a link in Outlook or Slack, it uses your default. Changing the default doesn't uninstall or remove your old browser; it just stops using it as the automatic choice.

Switching back to Microsoft Edge

If you want to return to Microsoft Edge as your default, follow the same steps: Settings > Apps > Default apps, click the current browser name, and select Microsoft Edge from the list. Edge is built into Windows 10, so it will always appear as an option even if you've never used it.

Some Windows 10 updates reset your default browser back to Edge. If this happens repeatedly, check Windows Update to see if a recent update changed the setting. You can change it back the same way, but you may need to do so after each major update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in the browser where you saved them. Changing the default browser only changes which program opens when you click a link — it doesn't touch your data. If you switch back to your old browser later, all your information will still be there.

Can I set different default browsers for different file types?

Windows 10 uses one default browser for all web links and HTML files. You cannot assign Chrome to open some links and Firefox to open others. The setting applies to all links system-wide.

What if I don't see the browser I want in the default apps list?

The browser either isn't installed or Windows 10 hasn't detected it yet. Open the browser directly and look for a "Make default" option in its settings menu. If that doesn't work, uninstall the browser completely and reinstall it from the official website, then try again.

Does changing the default browser affect my email or other programs?

Yes. Any program that opens web links — Outlook, Slack, Discord, or others — will use your new default browser. If you want a specific program to use a different browser, you usually have to change that setting inside the program itself, not in Windows 10.

Will my default browser change if I update Windows 10?

Major Windows 10 updates sometimes reset the default browser back to Microsoft Edge. If this happens, you can change it back using the same steps. Check your default browser setting after installing a large update if you notice links opening in the wrong browser.