How to Change Your Default Web Browser on Windows, Mac, or Linux

Windows 10 users can set the default browser using the Default apps settings.

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type Default apps.
3. Look under Web browser.
4. Choose the browser you want to set as your default browser.

You can change your Mac's default browser from within System Preferences.

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Navigate to the General settings pane.
3. Select the browser you'd like to choose from the Default web browser dropdown menu. For example, I wanted to set Chrome as the default Mac browser.

Linux users can set their default browser in the Settings utility—this is assuming you're using Ubuntu. If you have a unique Linux distro, these steps may or may not work for you.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to the Details tab.
3. Go to Default Applications.
4. Choose the web browser you want to set as default using the Web drop-down list.

In most cases, you can set your default browser from within the browser itself.

Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Open the menu in the top right that looks like 3 dots.
3. Go to Settings.
4. On the left, click Default Browser.
5. Set Chrome as the default browser.

Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click on the menu button in the top right that looks like 3 lines.
3. Go to Options
4. Look under the General panel.
5. Click Make Default...
6. You will receive a prompt from your OS to change the default browser.

Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Go to Tools at the top.
3. Choose Internet Options.
4. Select the Programs tab.
5. Click the blue link that says Make Internet Explorer the default browser.
6. Click OK.

You may also be interested in our guides on how to clear your browser history and cache.