How to default browser on Windows 11

The concept of “default” is an integral part of modern life. It’s especially important in computing, where different programs are constantly vying for control over every aspect of your computer.

For the longest time, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer was the default browser on Windows. In 2006, Mozilla Firefox came along and offered users a faster and safer browsing experience. Firefox grew in popularity and IE decreased, but Microsoft held onto its dominance by bundling Internet Explorer with Windows.

In 2015, Google Chrome surpassed Firefox to become the most widely used browser on desktop and mobile devices. Still, if you want your site to load in the same browser that your visitors are using, defaulting to Chrome isn’t an easy task on Windows.

To help you avoid being subjugated by whichever program is currently in charge, here’s a quick and simple guide to making your desired browser the default on Windows 11.

To set the default browser on Windows 11:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Go to the Apps section
   
   
3. Click on the Default apps.
   
   
4. Click on the Web browser option.
   
   
5. Select your desired browser from the list (Chrome, Firefox, Opera).

Setting a default browser allows the operating system to open links from other applications in the selected browser. Without a default browser, the operating system may not know which browser to use and may prompt you to choose one every time you click a link.

Steps for setting Chrome as the default browser:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots menu.
3. Click on Settings.
4. Scroll down to the Default browser section.
5. Click on the Make default button.

Steps for setting Firefox as the default browser:

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click on the three horizontal lines menu.
3. Click on Options.
4. Go to the General section.
5. In the Default browser section, click on the Make default button.

Steps for setting Opera as the default browser:

1. Open Opera.
2. Click on the Opera menu.
3. Click on Settings.
4. Go to the Browser section.
5. In the Default browser section, click on the Make default button.