How to change the default browser on your laptop

If you’ve picked up a new laptop recently and you’re getting everything set up, you may want to switch your default browser. For Windows 11 laptops, the default is automatically Microsoft Edge. However, you don’t have to stick to that one in particular. Here’s what to do.

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Download your preferred browser

Before you dive into the Windows 11 settings, make sure you’ve installed your browser of choice on your new laptop. To make things even easier, we’ll provide a list of download links below.

Download Google Chrome
Download Firefox
Download Opera

How to change the browser settings in Windows 11

After you’ve downloaded your chosen browser, you may see a prompt to make it the default option. However, you can also open the settings in the Start Menu and change it there.

IDG / Alex Huebner

On the left hand side of the Settings menu, click on the “Apps” icon.

In the Settings menu, there is an “Apps” section.

IDG / Alex Huebner

In the Apps menu, click the “Default apps” bar.

Inside the Apps menu, click the “Default apps” bar.

IDG / Alex Huebner

You can either scroll to find your browser name or use the search bar at the top to find it. Click your browser of choice.

Click the browser of choice (Google Chrome for example here).

IDG / Alex Huebner

In the browser’s settings, you can either select “Set default” or you can scroll through the list of file and browser types and click to change specific ones. This may be useful if you prefer how PDF’s or other files appear in a browser separate from your main one.