Chrome is already Google's browser, so you cannot set Google as your default

Google Chrome is made by Google. When you open Chrome, you are already using Google's browser. There is no separate step to "set Google as default" within Chrome itself — Chrome and Google are the same product.

What you might be looking for is one of two things: making Chrome your default browser on your computer (so links open in Chrome instead of another browser), or making Google Search your default search engine within Chrome (so searches go to Google instead of Bing or another search service). Both are straightforward, but they are different tasks.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome is Google's browser, so you cannot set Google as default within Chrome — they are already connected.
  • To make Chrome your default browser on Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and select Chrome for the web browser option.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default Web Browser and choose Google Chrome from the dropdown.
  • To make Google Search your default search engine in Chrome, go to Settings > Search Engine and select Google from the list.
  • Google is already the default search engine in Chrome for most users, so you may not need to change anything.

Making Chrome your default browser on Windows

If you want links and web addresses to open in Chrome instead of Edge, Firefox, or another browser, you need to set Chrome as your default browser at the operating system level. Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app from the results.

Once Settings is open, click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default Apps. Scroll down until you see Web Browser. Click on the current default browser (usually Microsoft Edge), and a menu will appear showing all installed browsers. Select Google Chrome from the list. Windows will confirm the change immediately.

After this change, clicking any link in email, documents, or other programs will open Chrome instead of your previous default browser. You can reverse this at any time by following the same steps and choosing a different browser.

Making Chrome your default browser on Mac

On a Mac, open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner and selecting System Settings. Click General in the sidebar, then scroll down to find Default Web Browser.

Click the dropdown menu next to Default Web Browser. You will see a list of installed browsers. Select Google Chrome. The change takes effect immediately, and links will now open in Chrome by default.

Checking or changing your default search engine in Chrome

Google Search is already the default search engine in Chrome for most users. If you want to confirm this or change it, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu.

In the Settings page, click Search Engine in the left sidebar. You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine used in the address bar." If Google is not selected, click the dropdown and choose Google from the list. Close the Settings tab — the change is saved automatically.

When Google is your default search engine, typing a question or term in the Chrome address bar will search Google automatically. You can also use the search box in the middle of a new Chrome tab, which also defaults to Google.

What to do if Chrome is not showing as an option

If Chrome does not appear in your default browser list on Windows or Mac, it may not be installed on your computer. Download Chrome from google.com/chrome and run the installer. Once installation is complete, Chrome will appear in your default apps settings.

If Chrome is installed but still not showing, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes the operating system needs to refresh its list of installed programs. On Windows, you can also try opening Settings and searching for "default apps" directly to ensure you are in the right place.

Why your default browser matters

Your default browser determines which program opens when you click a link in email, documents, or web pages. If you use Chrome for most of your browsing, setting it as default saves you the step of choosing which browser to use each time.

Your default search engine is separate from your default browser. You can use Chrome as your browser but search with Bing, or use Edge as your browser but search with Google. Most people keep them matched for consistency, but you can mix and match if you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google Chrome the same as Google Search?

No. Chrome is the browser — the program you use to visit websites. Google Search is the search engine — the service that finds web pages when you type a question. Chrome uses Google Search by default, but you can change the search engine while keeping Chrome as your browser.

Will setting Chrome as default affect my other browsers?

No. Setting Chrome as default only changes which browser opens links automatically. Other browsers like Firefox or Edge remain installed and usable. You can switch between browsers anytime by opening them directly.

Can I use a different search engine in Chrome?

Yes. Go to Chrome Settings > Search Engine and choose from Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or other options in the dropdown. You can also add custom search engines if you use a specialized search tool regularly.

What if I change my mind and want a different default browser?

Follow the same steps you used to set Chrome as default, but select a different browser from the list. You can change your default browser as many times as you want with no penalty or loss of data.