Windows 10: Microsoft is reintroducing options to set a default web browser on Windows 11

Discus and support Microsoft is reintroducing options to set a default web browser on Windows 11 in Windows 10 News to solve the problem; A recently released build to the Windows 11 Dev channel includes a much requested feature that Microsoft removed from the launch version of Windows 11:... Discussion in 'Windows 10 News' started by GHacks, Dec 5, 2021.

  1. GHacks
    GHacks New Member

    Microsoft is reintroducing options to set a default web browser on Windows 11


    A recently released build to the Windows 11 Dev channel includes a much requested feature that Microsoft removed from the launch version of Windows 11: the ability to set a default web browser on the system with just a click.

    Microsoft is reintroducing options to set a default web browser on Windows 11 Windows-11-set-default-browser.png

    When Windows 11 launched, users of the operating systems noticed that setting default applications was not as easy anymore as it was under Windows 10. On Windows 10, users could set defaults for several types of applications, including the web browser, music player, video player, and email, with just a few clicks.

    Microsoft is reintroducing options to set a default web browser on Windows 11 windows-10-default-apps.png

    All it took was to select Start > Settings > Apps > Default Apps, click on one of the available types on the page that opens, and select a different program for the job. Windows 10 would then map all supported file types to the application.

    Microsoft removed that handy option from Windows 11, making it much harder to set new default programs. While it is still possible to do so, it is now required to set each file type individually. Considering that web browsers support a few dozen file types, including .htm, .pdf, .html, .svg and others, it is clear that performing this simple task has evolved into a nuisance.

    Windows 11 Build 22509.1000, released to the developer channel, includes several usability improvements. Besides more Start Menu design options, it includes options to set a web browser as the default application for all supported file types. Microsoft is resurrecting the Windows 10 feature, and the only change is that the setting is no longer found under Default Apps, which no longer exists in that form under Windows 11, but when you open the application in Default Apps on Windows 11.

    There you find the new option to make the selected browser the default on the system. Doing so maps all supported file types to the browser. The change does not impact the Microsoft-Edge specific protocol that Windows 11 uses for certain links, e.g. those in widgets. Tools like Edge Deflector or MSEdgeRedirect may be used to redirect these requests to another web browser.

    Web browsers are the only type of program currently that have the revived feature. When you check others, e.g. video players, you won't find the option to set these as the default for all supported file types with one click. It is possible that future builds will bring back the functionality for other types of programs.

    Closing Words

    The change brings back a much needed usability feature on Windows 11. There is still the chance that it won't land in release versions of Windows 11, considering that it is currently available in test builds only. The introduction of the feature for other main application types, e.g. media players, would make a lot of sense as well.

    Now You: do you set programs manually as the default, or let the programs do that (if supported and not blocked by Windows)

    Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft is reintroducing options to set a default web browser on Windows 11 appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

    read more...
     
    GHacks, Dec 5, 2021
    #1

  2. Cannot set default web browser

    Hi,

    My name is Mohammed Shuain, an Independent Advisor & I understand from the description that you want to make the Chrome browser as your default browser. Please follow the below steps.

    Step 1:

    Go to Search box next to Windows icon and type Default app Settings

    Step 2:

    Click to open Default app Settings

    Step 3:

    Under choose, default apps scroll down to see the Web browser

    Step 4:

    Click on the Browser shown to get the default browsers list to select from

    Step 5:

    Select Google Chrome

    Regards

    Shuaib

    Independent Advisor
     
    MohammedShuaib1986, Dec 5, 2021
    #2
  3. I can't set my default web browser

    Hi Jorin,

    Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

    I understand the inconvenience caused, I will be glad to assist you with this.

    It is unusual that you are unable to set a default web browser.

    I would suggest you to try the steps below to choose a default web browser again and check if the issue persists.

    1. Press Windows key + R.

    2. Type control and press enter to open the control panel.

    3. Type default programs in the control panel search box and open it.

    4. Click "set your default programs".

    5. From the list of programs, locate Google chrome or Microsoft edge, click on it and click "set this program as my default".

    6. Save the changes and check again.

    Let us know the result.
     
    Wungraileng Vashi, Dec 5, 2021
    #3
  4. Microsoft is reintroducing options to set a default web browser on Windows 11

    Default browser settings

    Hi Jodi,

    Incorrect browser settings is one of the possible reason why you're getting a pop up message it is not set. Kindly follow these steps to set Firefox as your default browser:

    • Go to Settings.
    • Select System.
    • Click Default apps.
    • Scroll down and look for Web browser. In this case, the icon will say either Microsoft Edge or Choose your default browser.
    • Choose an app screen, select Firefox to set it as the default browser.
    • Close the windows to save your changes.
    • Then restart your PC.

    We would appreciate an update about how it went.
     
    Marilou Ser, Dec 5, 2021
    #4
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Microsoft is reintroducing options to set a default web browser on Windows 11

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