Chrome becomes your default browser when you tell your operating system to open links and web addresses with Chrome instead of whatever browser currently handles them
The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a Chromebook. On any device, the process takes less than a minute and involves going into your system settings, finding the default apps section, and selecting Chrome. Once you do this, clicking a link in an email, document, or text message will open Chrome automatically instead of Edge, Safari, or Firefox.
Your default browser is the one your computer launches whenever you click a web link outside of a browser window. If you have Chrome installed but another browser is set as default, links will open in that other browser. Setting Chrome as default means you control which browser opens those links.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps, find Chrome, and select it as your default browser.
- On Mac, open System Settings, click General, select Default web browser, and choose Google Chrome from the dropdown menu.
- Chromebook users do not need to change a default browser because Chrome is the only browser available on the device.
- After you set Chrome as default, all links from emails, documents, and other programs will open in Chrome automatically.
- You can change your default browser back at any time by following the same steps and selecting a different browser.
Setting Chrome as Default on Windows 10 and 11
Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click on "Apps" in the left sidebar. Look for "Default apps" in the main panel and click it.
Scroll down until you see "Web browser" with your current default browser listed next to it. Click on that browser name. A window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Find Google Chrome in the list and click it. Windows will confirm the change immediately, and Chrome is now your default browser.
If you do not see Chrome in the list, it means Chrome is not installed on your computer. You will need to download and install Chrome from google.com/chrome before you can set it as default.
Setting Chrome as Default on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Settings." In the sidebar, click "General." Look for "Default web browser" in the main panel on the right side.
Click the dropdown menu next to "Default web browser." You will see a list of browsers installed on your Mac. Select "Google Chrome" from the list. The change takes effect immediately. Close System Settings, and Chrome is now your default browser.
If Chrome does not appear in the dropdown, Chrome is not installed on your Mac. Visit google.com/chrome to download and install it first.
What Happens After You Change Your Default
Once Chrome is set as default, every link you click outside of a browser window will open in Chrome. This includes links in emails, text messages, Word documents, PDFs, and social media apps. If Chrome is not already running, it will launch automatically when you click a link.
Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history remain exactly as they were. Changing your default browser does not affect any of your Chrome data or settings. You can still open other browsers whenever you want — setting Chrome as default only changes what happens when you click a link.
Changing Your Default Browser Back
If you decide you want a different browser as your default, follow the same steps you used to set Chrome as default. On Windows, go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Web browser and select a different browser. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Default web browser and choose a different option from the dropdown.
You can switch your default browser as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you can change it, and changing it does not delete any data from Chrome or any other browser.
Troubleshooting: Chrome Does Not Appear as an Option
If you open the default browser settings and Chrome is not listed, Chrome is not installed on your computer. Download Chrome by visiting google.com/chrome in your current browser. Click the "Download Chrome" button, follow the installation instructions, and restart your computer when prompted.
After Chrome is installed, repeat the steps to set it as your default. Chrome should now appear in the list of available browsers.
Troubleshooting: Links Still Open in the Old Browser
If you set Chrome as default but links still open in a different browser, restart your computer. Sometimes the change does not take effect until you restart. After restarting, try clicking a link again.
If links still open in the wrong browser after restarting, go back to your default browser settings and confirm that Chrome is still selected. Occasionally a Windows or Mac update will reset your default browser. If it has been reset, select Chrome again and restart your computer once more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will setting Chrome as default delete my data in other browsers?
No. Setting Chrome as default only changes which browser opens when you click a link. All your bookmarks, passwords, and history in other browsers remain unchanged. You can still open and use other browsers whenever you want.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
No. Your operating system allows only one default browser for all web links. You can open any browser manually whenever you want, but the system default applies to all links you click outside of a browser window.
What if I share my computer with other people?
On Windows and Mac, the default browser setting applies to your user account only. Other people with their own accounts on the same computer can set their own default browsers without affecting yours. Each account has separate settings.
Do I need to set Chrome as default to use it?
No. You can use Chrome without setting it as your default browser. You just have to open Chrome manually each time. Setting it as default is only for convenience when clicking links in other programs.