Setting Chrome as your default browser on Windows, Mac, or Linux

To make Chrome your default browser, you open Chrome's settings, find the "Default browser" section, and click the button that says "Make default." The exact steps depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but the principle is the same: you're telling your computer that when you click a link in an email, a document, or anywhere else outside a browser, it should open in Chrome instead of whatever browser is currently set.

Once Chrome is your default, every link you click outside of a browser window will open in Chrome automatically. This also means Chrome handles web-based file types — like .html files — and protocols like mailto: links that trigger email. If you change your mind later, you can switch to a different default browser using the same method.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Chrome settings, scroll to "Default browser," and click "Make default" — Windows will then ask you to confirm the change.
  • On Mac, open Chrome settings, click "Default browser," and select Chrome from the system dialog that appears.
  • On Linux, right-click any link, select "Open with," choose Chrome, and check the box to remember your choice.
  • Your default browser setting only affects links clicked outside of a browser; you can still use any browser you want by opening it directly.
  • Changing your default browser does not uninstall your old browser or delete any data — it only changes where links open.

Steps for Windows

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu. On the left side, click "Default browser." You'll see a section that says "Google Chrome" with a button below it. Click "Make default." Windows will open a dialog asking you to confirm — select Chrome from the list and click "Set this program as default." After that, Chrome is your default browser.

If you don't see the "Make default" button, Chrome is already your default browser. If you see a message saying you don't have permission to change this setting, your computer's administrator has locked the default browser choice. You'll need to ask them to change it, or use a different user account if you have one.

Steps for Mac

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings." On the left side, click "Default browser." A dialog will appear asking which browser you want to use as your default. Chrome should be highlighted in the list. Click "Open" or "Set as default" (the exact button name varies by macOS version). Your default browser is now Chrome.

If the dialog doesn't appear, try clicking the "Default browser" option again. If Chrome is already your default, you'll see a message confirming that instead of a dialog. To switch back to a different browser later, follow the same steps and select the other browser from the list.

Steps for Linux

Linux doesn't have a single system-wide default browser setting the way Windows and Mac do. Instead, your default is determined by your desktop environment — GNOME, KDE, Xfce, or another. The easiest way to set Chrome as default is to right-click any link in a file, email, or web page. Select "Open with" or "Open link with." A list of browsers will appear. Click Chrome. A checkbox should appear asking if you want to remember this choice — check it. From then on, links will open in Chrome by default.

If that method doesn't work on your system, you can also open your system settings, look for "Default Applications" or "Preferred Applications," and find the "Web Browser" option. Select Chrome from the list. The exact location varies by desktop environment, but this menu exists in most Linux distributions.

What happens after you set Chrome as default

Once Chrome is your default, clicking a link in an email client, a PDF, a document, or anywhere outside a browser window will open that link in Chrome. If Chrome is already running, the link opens in a new tab. If Chrome is closed, it will start automatically. This applies to web addresses (http and https links) and also to mailto: links, which trigger your default email client instead.

Your old browser remains installed and functional. You can still open it manually and use it whenever you want. Setting a default browser doesn't uninstall anything or delete your bookmarks, history, or passwords. It only changes where links open when you click them outside of a browser window.

Why you might want Chrome as your default

If you use Chrome for most of your browsing, setting it as default saves you a step — you don't have to choose which browser to use every time you click a link in an email or document. It's a convenience choice, not a security or privacy choice. Chrome will function exactly the same whether it's your default or not.

Some people set Chrome as default because they sync their bookmarks and passwords across devices using a Google account, and having Chrome as default keeps their workflow in one place. Others prefer a different browser but keep Chrome as default for specific sites that work better in Chrome. There's no single right answer — it depends on how you work.

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, but select the other browser instead. On Windows, open Settings, go to "Apps," click "Default apps," find "Web browser," and click it to choose a different one. On Mac, follow the same Chrome settings steps but select a different browser from the dialog. On Linux, right-click a link and select a different browser, then check the "remember this choice" box.

Switching back is just as simple as switching to Chrome. Your data in Chrome — bookmarks, history, passwords — stays in Chrome even after you change your default browser. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default change my passwords or bookmarks in other browsers?

No. Setting a default browser only changes where links open. Your passwords, bookmarks, and history in Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser stay exactly where they are. Each browser keeps its own data separate.

What if I want to use Chrome for some links but a different browser for others?

You can't set different defaults for different types of links — your operating system only lets you pick one default browser. But you can always right-click a link and choose "Open with" to pick a different browser for that specific link, or open your preferred browser manually and paste the link into it.

Does setting Chrome as default mean Google collects more data about me?

Setting Chrome as default doesn't change what data Chrome collects. Chrome's data collection is the same whether it's your default browser or not. If you're concerned about Chrome's privacy practices, that's a separate decision from whether to make it your default.

Can I set Chrome as default if I'm using a work or school computer?

It depends on your computer's settings. If your administrator has locked the default browser choice, you won't be able to change it without their permission. If the setting is unlocked, you can change it the same way you would on a personal computer. Ask your IT department if you're unsure whether you have permission.

What happens to links if I uninstall Chrome after setting it as default?

If you uninstall Chrome while it's your default browser, your operating system will show an error when you click a link, or it may automatically switch your default to another browser. To avoid this, change your default browser to something else before uninstalling Chrome.