Even though Microsoft Edge is a decent browser, users still prefer exploring the web with different software, as the number of features and utilizability are increased.

You can change most of the default apps in Windows 11

  • To make Chrome the default browser on Windows 11, you need to adjust your file association settings.

  • This process is a bit different than in Windows 10, and it takes a few extra steps.

  • If you need to set the default browser in Windows 11, be prepared to do that for all associated file types and web protocols.

  • Easy migration: use the Opera assistant to transfer exiting data, such as bookmarks, passwords, etc.

  • Optimize resource usage: your RAM memory is used more efficiently than Chrome does

  • Enhanced privacy: free and unlimited VPN integrated

  • No ads: built-in Ad Blocker speeds up loading of pages and protects against data-mining

  • Download Opera

The latest version of Windows supports most browsers, and if you’re looking for a new one, be sure to check our list of the best Windows 11 browsers.

Using a more capable browser can significantly impact how you explore the web, the security level while you do, and many other advantages.

Even though Microsoft tried to bring Edge into the 21st century, adding some of the features bolstered by other browser software, most people will prefer to use Chrome. Besides better security features, it offers direct connectivity to people’s Gmail accounts.

However, changing the default apps for different tasks isn’t always as straightforward as you might expect in the latest version.

Why and how to make Chrome default browser on Windows 11?

In today’s guide, we’ll show you why Chrome is a great browser choice and why you should choose it over Edge, as well as how to make Chrome the default web explorer software on Windows 11.

Is Chrome better than Edge?

For a long time, Google Chrome was far superior to Edge, but after a massive revamp, the browser can now hold its ground against Chrome.

The new version runs on the Chromium engine, similar to Chrome, and can run Chrome extensions. However, there might be a few compatibility issues in some cases.

Regarding resources, Edge has a significantly lighter impact, so it’s a better choice if you’re using a PC with a low amount of RAM.

Regarding security, both browsers are pretty safe, but some would say that Chrome takes the lead in this department with better protocols.

The last difference we need to mention is cross-platform availability, which is an essential element for most users.

Chrome and Edge are available on all platforms, but many Android phones come with preinstalled Chrome, making it much simpler and easier to sync and share your data between devices.

Is Chrome a better browser? The answer is not that simple. Edge is undoubtedly catching up, even if Chrome is more popular and offers better integration with Google’s services. It comes down to personal preference, but our research suggests that Chrome is a better choice for most users.

How do I get rid of Microsoft Edge as my default browser?

There are a few ways to accomplish this. The first way is to uninstall Edge. Doing this will force a different browser to open files that require a browser.

Secondly, you can change the default to a different browser like Chrome. We shall show you how to do this later in the article.

Quick Tip:

An alternative browser that is worth to be used as default is Opera due to its faster navigation and cutting-edge features.

You have as well customizable tools and app integrations that help you navigate smoothly. As an example, there are customizable sidebar, multiple workspaces, or built-in VPN privacy.

Google Chrome has been the most popular browser across all platforms for years. Currently, the browser has a 68.5% market share, which is a 1% drop from the last year.

Opera

Utilize this browser as a default for enhanced privacy and personalized browsing.

Safari follows it at 9.5% market share and Microsoft Edge at 8.22%. It’s worth mentioning that Edge almost doubled its market share from the last year.

As you can see, Chrome is undoubtedly the most popular web browser, and it’s no wonder many users want to make it a default browser on their PC.

How to set Chrome as default browser Windows 11

If you currently have Edge or another browser set as default on your Windows 11, other than Chrome, you can easily change it from Apps settings. What you need to do is change the file association settings for all the associated file types  and web protocols and set them to open in Chrome.

  1. Click the Start button in the Taskbar.

  2. Now select Settings.

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  1. In the left pane, select Apps. After, from the right pane, choose Default apps.

  2. Scroll down and select Google Chrome from the list.

  3. Click the first file type on the list. In our case, it’s .htm.

  4. Select Google Chrome from the list and click OK.

  5. Select the next file type and repeat the steps from above. Do this for all file types that Microsoft Edge or another browser is assigned.

Although you can change file associations for all extensions, these are the essential extensions that you must change:

  • HTM
  • HTML
  • PDF
  • SHTML
  • WEBP
  • XHT
  • XHTML
  • FTP
  • HTTP
  • HTTPS

After replacing Edge with Chrome for all file types, Chrome will become the default browser on Windows 11.

Why can I not make Chrome my default browser?

When you open a link, the default browser is automatically chosen. It is often the browser preinstalled on the computer when you buy it.

You may not be able to change this default to Chrome for a few reasons, but the most frequent is because Chrome’s installation ran into a glitch or has a bug.

Another frequent factor is your OS’s inability to recognize the Chrome installation. Our guide on what to do when you cannot make Chrome your default browser on Windows 11 will help you if you run into difficulty.

Why is it so complicated to change the default browser on Windows 11?

Microsoft changed how changing the default apps works in Windows 11, and now you don’t have access to different categories, such as web browser, email client, photo viewer, etc.

Instead, you’ll get a list of applications, and when you select the application, it will show you the list of file types that can be associated with that application.

Now you have to set the default application for each file type manually. This gives users more control, but most don’t need such a detailed configuration for default apps.

With Windows 11, changing the default app can take a few minutes, while in previous versions, it only took a few seconds.

We still don’t know why Microsoft decided to change this, but we hope they will simplify this process soon. Luckily, we have a guide on how to change the default browser on Windows 11, so be sure to check it out.

What is the best browser to use on Windows 11?

As previously mentioned, all major browsers work perfectly in the latest version of Windows, and picking the best depends on personal preference.

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Each browser has its advantages, but if we had to pick one, we’d probably go with Opera since it’s built on the Chromium engine while offering some unique features.

As you can see from the graph above, not only does Opera have amazing features, but it also has the most negligible impact on resources when compared to other options.

Besides the fantastic browsing speeds and stability, Opera offers free VPN and many other valuable elements while offering you access to a specialized gaming browser, Opera GX.

Changing the default browser to Chrome on Windows 11 isn’t as simple as it used to be, and the process now takes a few minutes at most.

We still aren’t sure why Microsoft changed how settings for default applications work, but you should know that this change affects all applications, not just web browsers.

Even though this option is not accessible as efficiently as in previous versions of Windows, users can customize Windows 11 operability with some cool new extra features that might prove helpful for most users and some beginners.

What other methods are used to change the default apps? Let us know in the comments below.

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