How to replace Edge as the default browser in Windows — and why you shouldn’t
Microsoft has been struggling to get people to use its Edge browser for years. Even though the company made Edge the default browser in Windows 10, users left in droves, most of them flocking to Google Chrome — and with good reason. The original version of Edge was underpowered, had difficult-to-use features, and offered very few extensions compared to Chrome and Firefox. But in January 2020,…
Microsoft's Edge browser, based on Google's Chromium technology, has become the default browser in Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. While Edge offers a faster experience and uses less memory than Chrome, it has been criticized for its poor performance, lack of features, and limited extension support. Users often switch to Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, which have more robust functionality and a wider range of extensions.
If you're using Edge as your default browser, you can change it to another browser of your choosing. The process is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. To do this in Windows 10, go to the Settings app, choose "Apps" and then "Default apps." Scroll down to "Web browser" and click on the current default, Microsoft Edge. A pop-up will appear with a list of installed browsers; select your preferred browser to set it as the default.
In Windows 11, the steps are similar. Install your alternate browser of choice, then click the Start button and open the Settings app. Choose "Apps" and "Default apps." Locate your chosen browser and click the arrow next to it, then select "Set default." A checkmark will appear, confirming that your browser is now the default. If you want to change Edge back to the default browser, just repeat the process and select Edge again.
Keep in mind that even after changing the default browser, some files and links may still open in Edge. These include PDF files, .svg graphics files, and mailto links. You can manually change these file types and links individually to open in your preferred browser.
Written by urgent.news from Computerworld's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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