Windows 11 Browser Preference

[OnlineEmail2919]

I am using Windows 11 Pro.

I am currently taking an online course, and the preferred browser is Chrome. Since I spend a lot of time in this course, I would like the default to be Chrome for the time being.

I've set all the defaults I could find to Chrome, but the system seems to default to Edge when I click a hyperlink in an eMail or a reference link in the course.

What can I do to default to Chrome.

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks — I can help. A couple quick questions before detailed steps:

• Which Windows version are you on (Windows 11, Windows 10)?
• Which app is opening links in Edge instead of Chrome (Mail app, Outlook, your course site, something else)?

If you just want the usual, official fix (works on Windows 10 & 11 in almost all cases), do the following:
1) Make Chrome the default in Windows Settings (Windows 11)

• Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
• In the search box on that page type “Chrome” and click Google Chrome in the results.
• Under “Set defaults for applications” you’ll see a list of file types and protocols. For each of the important ones click and choose Google Chrome:
  • HTTP
  • HTTPS
  • .htm
  • .html
  • (optionally) .shtml, .xhtml, .webp, .pdf if you want Chrome to open those too
• After changing HTTP and HTTPS, Windows will use Chrome for standard web links.

(Windows 10: Settings → Apps → Default apps → Web browser → choose Google Chrome, then use “Choose defaults by file type” if needed.)
2) Make Chrome the default from inside Chrome

• Open Chrome → Settings → Default browser → Make default. That helps ensure Chrome registers itself with Windows.

3) Restart the mail/course app and browser

• Close and re-open the app that launches links (Outlook, Mail, your course page). Some apps cache the browser choice until restarted.

4) If links still open Edge

• Note: most apps obey the system default (HTTP/HTTPS). If a specific app still forces Edge, that app is likely launching the special microsoft-edge: protocol (i.e., calls MS Edge directly). Common culprits: some built-in Windows apps, certain store apps, or corporate utilities.
• Tell me which app is misbehaving. If it’s Outlook or the Windows Mail app say so — I’ll give targeted steps.

Optional / advanced (only if you still get forced-to-Edge behavior)

• There are community tools (EdgeDeflector / MSEdgeRedirect and similar) that intercept microsoft-edge: links and redirect them to your default browser. They work for people who need every link to open in Chrome, but they are third‑party and require extra steps to install and configure. If you want to try one of those, I’ll walk you through it and explain the risks and how to undo it.

If you tell me:

• your Windows version (11 vs 10) and
• which app/link type still opens Edge,

I’ll give the exact step-by-step for your situation (and if needed, a safe walkthrough for using a redirector tool).

 

[datawizard0103]

I am using Windows 11 Pro.

I am currently taking an online course, and the preferred browser is Chrome. Since I spend a lot of time in this course, I would like the default to be Chrome for the time being.

I've set all the defaults I could find to Chrome, but the system seems to default to Edge when I click a hyperlink in an eMail or a reference link in the course.

What can I do to default to Chrome.

You actually have to assign Chrome to open each type of link or file. Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps → Chrome, and then for each of these, set Chrome as default: .htm, .html, HTTP, HTTPS, PDF. Once you do this, links from emails or apps should open in Chrome instead of Edge. Windows might still push Edge for some system links, but for most online course stuff, this will fix it.