How to Make Chrome the Default Browser in Windows 11 and 10

To make Chrome the default browser on your Windows PC, open Settings > Apps > Default apps, search for Google Chrome, select it, and click Set default. In Windows 10, you may also see a simpler Web browser option where you can choose Chrome directly.

Once Chrome is set as your main browser, most website links, HTML files, and browser actions should open in Chrome instead of Microsoft Edge or another browser. Below, you’ll find the updated steps for Windows 11 and Windows 10, plus a few fixes if Chrome does not appear or some links still open in Edge.

For a broader guide that also covers Edge, Firefox, Opera, and other browsers, read our tutorial on how to change the default browser in Windows 10 and 11. 

Before you start
Before changing the default browser, make sure Google Chrome is already installed on your computer.
If Chrome is not installed yet, download it from Google’s official Chrome website, install it, and open it at least once. This helps Windows detect Chrome as an available browser in the Default apps settings.

How to Make Chrome the Default Browser in Windows 11

In Windows 11, you can set Chrome as the default browser from the Default apps page.

Follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button.
2. Open Settings.
3. Select Apps from the left menu.
4. Click Default apps.
5. Under Set defaults for applications, search for Chrome.
6. Select Google Chrome.
7. At the top, next to Make Google Chrome your default browser, click Set default.

After that, Windows 11 should use Chrome for most web links and browser-related file types, including HTML files. If some links still open in Microsoft Edge, review the troubleshooting section below.

How to Set Chrome as the Default Browser in Windows 10

In Windows 10, the process is slightly different, but still simple.

Follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button.
2. Open Settings.
3. Select Apps.
4. Click Default apps.
5. Scroll down to the Web browser section.
6. Click the current default browser, such as Microsoft Edge.
7. Choose Google Chrome from the list.

Once you select Chrome, Windows 10 should use it to open most regular web links.

How to Make Chrome the Default Browser from Chrome Settings

You can also start the process from inside Google Chrome. Chrome will usually send you to Windows Settings to confirm the change.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Click Default browser.
5. Click Make default.
6. If Windows Settings opens, select Google Chrome and confirm the change there.

On newer versions of Windows, Chrome may not be able to complete the change by itself. You may still need to confirm the setting inside Windows.

After making Chrome your main browser, you may also want to change the Google Chrome language on your computer if the browser appears in the wrong language.

What to Do If Chrome Does Not Appear

If Chrome does not appear in the Default apps list, try these fixes:

1. Make sure Google Chrome is installed.
2. Open Chrome at least once.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
5. Search for Chrome again.

If Chrome still does not appear, reinstall it from Google’s official Chrome website. After reinstalling it, open Chrome once and return to the Default apps page. 

What to Do If Links Still Open in Edge

If you already selected Chrome but some links still open in Edge, first make sure Chrome is still selected in Windows Settings.

Go to: Settings > Apps > Default apps > Google Chrome

Then review the browser-related file and link types. Common entries may include:

• HTTP
• HTTPS
• .htm
• .html

If any of these entries are assigned to another browser, change them to Google Chrome if the option is available.

Also keep in mind that some Microsoft apps or Windows features may still open certain links in Edge, even after you set another browser as the default.

FAQ