How to Make Google Chrome the Default Browser in Windows 10 or 11

If you're tired of links always opening in Microsoft Edge and want Chrome to be your go-to browser, you're in the right place. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through how to make Google Chrome your default browser on Windows 10 or 11 in just a few easy steps. Whether you're on Windows 10 like I am or Windows 11, the process is nearly identical and only takes a minute.

Why Make Chrome Your Default Browser?

Google Chrome is fast, customizable, and offers great support for extensions. Many people install it right after setting up Windows — but by default, Microsoft Edge still opens every link, even if Chrome is installed. If you've already downloaded Chrome and want to make it the default, here's exactly how to do it.

Step-by-Step: Set Chrome as Default Browser in Windows 10 or 11

Let’s walk through the steps I used on Windows 10. These same steps apply for Windows 11 with very small visual differences.

First, right-click on the Start menu — that’s the Windows logo at the bottom-left corner of your screen. When the context menu appears, click on Apps and Features. This takes you to the main settings area for managing installed apps.

On the left-hand sidebar, click on Default apps. This section allows you to set which apps open files, links, emails, maps, music, and more. We’re interested in the section labeled Web browser.

Now, scroll down until you see the Web browser option. You’ll probably see that it’s currently set to Microsoft Edge — that’s Windows’ built-in browser. Click on the Edge icon, and Windows will show you a list of browsers installed on your PC.

From this list, click on Google Chrome. Just like that, Chrome becomes your new default browser. From now on, any time you open a web link from email, documents, or apps, it will launch in Chrome instead of Edge.

Does This Work for Windows 11 Too?

Yes — the steps are nearly the same. In Windows 11, you can still access Default apps by going to Settings > Apps > Default Apps, then selecting Chrome and setting it as the default for web protocols like .html, .htm, and HTTP/HTTPS.

In both versions of Windows, changing the default browser only takes a few clicks.

What If Chrome Doesn't Appear?

If Chrome isn’t showing up in the list of available browsers:

• Make sure it’s installed

• Restart your computer

• Try updating Windows

Once Chrome is properly installed, it should appear as an option in the browser list.

Why Your Links Still Open in Edge Sometimes

Even after setting Chrome as the default browser, some built-in Windows apps like Widgets or News & Interests may still force links to open in Edge. This is by design, but for most apps and tasks, Chrome will now be used as the default browser.

If you want to block Edge from opening anything, you may need a third-party tool like "Edge Deflector," but for most users, just changing the default browser is more than enough.

Final Thoughts

Switching to Chrome as your default browser is a small but powerful change that makes your workflow smoother and browsing more consistent. Whether you’re on Windows 10 or Windows 11, following the steps above will make sure Chrome becomes your primary browser for everything you do online.

If this tutorial helped you out, be sure to check out the full video embedded above. Watching the video gives you a clear visual walkthrough of each step.

For more helpful guides like this, feel free to explore other posts here on the blog, and don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel — GuideMe Tutorials — for simple tech fixes and tutorials.