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How to Set Chrome as Default Browser on Windows 11

This guide explains how to change Windows 11’s default browser from Microsoft Edge to Google Chrome, including workarounds for system-enforced Edge behaviors.

note

The following steps require a third-party tool that may stop working after major Windows updates.

warning

This was written in 2022. Instructions and information might be outdated.

Changing Your Default Browser to Chrome​

  1. Click the Start button on your taskbar.

Windows Start button highlighted in green on the task bar.

  1. Search for Default apps.

Windows Start Menu Search Bar with 'default apps' written and highlighted in green.

  1. Click on the best match called Default apps from System settings.

Windows Start Menu Best Match with 'Default apps' highlighted in green.

  1. Click on Google Chrome towards the bottom of the list.

Windows Default Apps with Google Chrome highlighted in green.

  1. Click on HTTPS towards the bottom of the list.

Windows Default Apps Google Chrome page with 'HTTPS Microsoft Edge' highlighted in green.

  1. Select Google Chrome from the list.

Windows Menu 'How do you want to open this?' with 'Google Chrome' highlighted in blue.

  1. Click OK to change the default browser.

Windows Menu 'How do you want to open this?' with the 'OK' button highlighted in green.

  1. Repeat steps 5, 6, and 7 for all necessary file associations.
tip

It's recommended to change the default settings for .htm, .html, and .pdf extensions.

Due to Windows 11 design restrictions, changing the default browser for widgets and search requires a workaround.

To change the default browser for widgets, a free external software is required.

note

The following steps require a third-party tool that may stop working after major Windows updates.

  1. Download EdgeDeflector.

website with the software installer highlighted in green.

  1. Open the file.

Windows context menu for downloaded file with the 'Open' option highlighted in green.

  1. Click the Start button on your taskbar.

Windows Start button highlighted in green on the task bar.

  1. Search for Default apps.

Windows Start Menu Search Bar with 'default apps' written and highlighted in green.

  1. Click on the best match called Default apps from System settings.

Windows Start Menu Best Match with 'Default apps' highlighted in green.

  1. Click on EdgeDeflector towards the bottom of the list.

Windows 'Default apps' page with EdgeDeflector highlighted in green.

  1. Click on Microsoft Edge.

Windows 'Default apps' page with 'MICROSOFT-EDGE' highlighted in green.

  1. Select EdgeDeflector from the list.

Windows Menu 'How do you want to open this?' with 'EdgeDeflector' highlighted in blue.

  1. Click OK to confirm the change.

Windows Menu 'How do you want to open this?' with the 'OK' button highlighted in green.

If EdgeDeflector stops working after Windows 11 updates, check the software's website for new updates.