Setting Chrome as your default browser in three steps
Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in an email, a document, or anywhere else on your computer. To make Google Chrome your default, you open Chrome's settings, find the Default Browser section, and click one button. The process takes about 30 seconds and works the same way on Windows and Mac.
The steps below show you exactly where to click. If you get stuck, the most common problem is that Chrome is not fully installed yet — make sure you have downloaded and opened Chrome at least once before trying to change your default.
Key Takeaways
- Your default browser opens automatically whenever you click a link outside of a web browser, so changing it affects how you browse throughout your entire computer.
- Chrome's default browser setting lives in Settings, under the Default Browser section on the left side of the screen.
- You need to click only one button labeled "Make default" to complete the change — no restart or confirmation is required.
- If the "Make default" button is grayed out or missing, Chrome may not be fully installed or your computer may require administrator permission to change defaults.
- Changing your default browser does not uninstall or remove any other browser you have — it only changes which one opens links automatically.
Windows: Opening Chrome settings and finding the default browser option
Open Google Chrome by clicking its icon on your desktop or taskbar. Once Chrome is open, look at the top right corner of the window. You will see three vertical dots stacked on top of each other — this is the menu button. Click it.
A dropdown menu will appear. Look for the word "Settings" near the bottom of this menu and click it. Chrome will open a new tab showing your Settings page. On the left side of this page, you will see a list of options. Scroll down until you find "Default browser" and click it.
Windows: Clicking the Make Default button
After you click "Default browser," the right side of the screen will show a section with the heading "Default browser" and some text explaining what a default browser does. Below that text, you will see a blue button that says "Make default." Click this button.
A small window may pop up asking you to confirm. If it does, click "Yes" or "OK" — the exact wording depends on your version of Windows. Chrome is now your default browser. You can close this settings tab and start using Chrome normally.
Mac: Opening Chrome settings and finding the default browser option
Open Google Chrome by clicking its icon in your Applications folder or Dock. Once Chrome is open, look at the top left corner of the screen, next to the Apple menu. You will see "Chrome" in the menu bar. Click it, then look for "Settings" in the dropdown menu that appears and click it.
Chrome will open a new tab showing your Settings page. On the left side, you will see a list of options. Scroll down until you find "Default browser" and click it. The right side of the screen will now show the Default browser section.
Mac: Clicking the Make Default button
In the Default browser section, you will see a blue button that says "Make default." Click this button. Your Mac may ask for permission because changing system settings requires your approval. If a dialog box appears, enter your Mac password and click "OK."
Chrome is now your default browser. You can close this settings tab. The next time you click a link in an email, document, or any other program, it will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser was opening it before.
What to do if the Make Default button is grayed out or missing
If the "Make default" button appears faded or disabled, Chrome may not be fully installed on your computer. Close Chrome completely and download it again from google.com/chrome. Run the installer file and wait for it to finish. Then open Chrome and try the steps above again.
On Windows, you may also see a message saying you need administrator permission to change your default browser. This happens on work or school computers that have restrictions. Contact your IT department or system administrator — they can change the default for you, or they can give you permission to do it yourself.
Changing your default browser back to something else
If you want to switch back to a different browser later, the process is identical. Open that browser, go to its Settings, find Default browser, and click the button to make it default. You can change your default browser as many times as you want — there is no limit.
Changing your default browser does not remove Chrome from your computer or delete any of your bookmarks and passwords. Chrome stays installed and you can still open it manually whenever you want. Changing the default only affects which browser opens automatically when you click a link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords?
No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and all other Chrome data stay on your computer. Changing the default browser only changes which program opens when you click a link — it does not touch any of your saved information in any browser.
Can I set Chrome as default on my phone?
Yes, but the steps are different. On iPhone, go to Settings, scroll down to Chrome, tap it, and select "Default Browser App." On Android, open Chrome, go to Settings, tap "Become the default browser," and follow the prompts. The process is similar but the exact location of these settings varies by phone model.
What if I share my computer with other people?
Each person with their own user account on the computer can have a different default browser. When you log in with your account and set Chrome as default, it only affects your account. Other people's accounts keep their own default browser settings.
Does my default browser affect which browser my email opens?
Yes. When you click a link in Gmail, Outlook, or any other email program, it opens in your default browser. If you want links to always open in a specific browser, set that browser as your default.