Set Opera GX as your default browser in three steps

Making Opera GX your default browser means that when you click a link in an email, document, or another program, it opens in Opera GX instead of whatever browser you're using now. The process differs slightly depending on whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux, but each takes less than a minute.

On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings, then Apps, then Default apps. Scroll down to "Web browser" and click the current default (usually Microsoft Edge or Chrome). A menu of installed browsers appears — select Opera GX and you're done. On Mac, open Opera GX, go to the menu (three horizontal lines in the top right), select Settings, then Browser, and click "Make default". On Linux, the steps vary by desktop environment, but most let you right-click Opera GX in your applications menu and select "Set as default".

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users change the default browser through Settings > Apps > Default apps, then select Opera GX from the web browser menu.
  • Mac users open Opera GX, go to menu > Settings > Browser, and click the "Make default" button.
  • After you set Opera GX as default, all links from emails, documents, and other programs will open in Opera GX automatically.
  • If Opera GX is not installed yet, you must download and install it before you can set it as default.

Windows: Using the Settings app

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click "Apps" in the left sidebar.

In the Apps menu, click "Default apps" near the top. You'll see a list of app categories, including "Web browser" near the top. Click on your current default browser (the name appears in a box next to "Web browser"). A window pops up showing all installed browsers on your computer. Click "Opera GX" from the list.

Windows confirms the change immediately — you'll see "Opera GX" now appears next to "Web browser" in the Default apps list. Close Settings and the change takes effect right away. Any link you click outside of a browser will now open in Opera GX.

Mac: Using Opera GX's built-in option

Open Opera GX on your Mac. In the top left corner, click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) to open the main menu.

Scroll down and click "Settings". In the Settings window, click "Browser" in the left sidebar. Near the top of the Browser settings, you'll see a button that says "Make default". Click it. Opera GX asks for permission to change your default browser — click "OK" to confirm.

Your Mac now opens all links in Opera GX by default. This method is faster than going through System Preferences because you don't have to leave the browser.

Linux: Desktop environment variations

Linux doesn't have a single default browser setting like Windows and Mac do. Instead, the default is usually set through your desktop environment (GNOME, KDE, Xfce, etc.) or through individual applications.

The most reliable method is to right-click Opera GX in your applications menu and look for an option like "Set as default" or "Set as default browser". If that option doesn't appear, open your system settings and search for "default applications" or "preferred applications". Look for a "Web" or "Browser" category and select Opera GX from the dropdown menu. Some Linux distributions also let you set the default by opening a link in any program, which triggers a dialog asking which browser you want to use — select Opera GX and check the box to remember your choice.

What to do if Opera GX doesn't appear in the browser list

If you don't see Opera GX in the default browser menu, it's usually because Opera GX isn't fully installed yet. Close the Settings window and make sure Opera GX is actually installed on your computer by looking for it in your Applications folder (Mac), Programs folder (Windows), or applications menu (Linux).

If Opera GX isn't there, download it from the official Opera website and run the installer. Once installation finishes, restart your computer and try the default browser steps again. After a restart, Opera GX should appear in the browser list.

On Windows, if Opera GX still doesn't show up, try opening Opera GX and going to menu > Settings > Browser to see if there's a "Make default" button there, similar to the Mac version. Some older versions of Opera GX use this method instead of the Windows Settings app.

Changing your default browser back later

If you decide you want a different browser as your default, the process is identical — just select a different browser from the same menu. On Windows, go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Web browser and pick a new one. On Mac, open that browser and look for its own "Make default" option in settings, or go to System Preferences > General and change it there. On Linux, use the same applications menu or system settings you used before.

You can change your default browser as many times as you want, and there's no penalty for switching. Some people set different browsers as default depending on what they're doing — for example, using Opera GX for everyday browsing but switching to a different browser for work tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in Opera GX regardless of whether it's your default browser. Setting it as default only controls which browser opens when you click links outside of a browser.

Can I set Opera GX as default for some links but not others?

Not through the default browser setting. Once you set Opera GX as default, all links open in it. If you want a specific link to open in a different browser, you can right-click the link and select "Open with" to choose a different browser for that single link.

Do I need to restart my computer after setting Opera GX as default?

On Windows and Mac, the change takes effect immediately and you don't need to restart. On Linux, a restart is sometimes helpful if the change doesn't seem to work right away, but it's usually not required.

What if I'm using a work computer or school computer?

Some work and school computers have restrictions that prevent you from changing the default browser. If the "Make default" button is grayed out or doesn't appear, contact your IT department — they may need to change it for you or grant you permission to do so.