It happened. Microsoft has listened to user feedback and reports and addressed a long-standing issue about setting the default browser in Windows 11. Thanks to the newly released optional update (KB5011563), you can now able to set your desired browser as default easier than the clumsy process you used to follow before.
If you’ve upgraded to Windows 11 from Windows 10, you might have noticed Microsoft made it hard to change the default browser in the new OS. No surprise that Microsoft Edge is the default handler for most file types or links which you used to associate with web browsers or commonly used apps on Windows.
The company came under a lot of criticism for this from Firefox (Mozilla) and Vivaldi vendors. To users’ relief, the firm acted on this last year.
Back in December 2021, with Windows 11 dev channel build 22509, it added the “set default” button for the web browser in Settings.
The good news today is the option is now backported from Dev and available in Windows 11 build 22000.593.
How to set the default browser in Windows 11
- Click on Start
- Click on Settings
- Click on Apps > Default Apps
- Scroll down to the browser of your choice ( that could be Chrome or Firefox or any other) click on it and select “Set default”
- Done, a tick mark appears confirming the change applied.
From now on HTML, HTML files, or links with HTTP and HTTPS will open in the web browser you applied above.
However, keep in mind, you still need to manually assign default apps for other file types where PDF, XHTML, FTP, SVG, and others as they’ll still be handled by default by Micorsoft Edge. Let us hope Microsoft addresses that thing as well in future Windows 11 updates.
Note: At the time of writing, this is only possible if you’ve installed the new optional update KB5011563 (OS build 22000.593).
Windows 11 build 22000.593
Microsoft released an optional “C” update KB5011563 for Windows 11 with lots of fixes and improvements.
To install it on your device follow the steps given below.
Open Settings > Windows Update and check for updates and install the update.
How to install KB5011563 update manually in Windows 11
You can also able to download and install the update manually from the Microsoft Catalog update here
Note: This is an optional update, which will eventually be offered with the Patch Tuesday update in a couple of weeks or on April 12.
The update comes with a slew of bug fixes, so go ahead and install it if you’re having any issues with Windows 11, as a bonus you can able to change the default web browser to your likings such as Chrome or Firefox.
Have you upgraded to Windows 11 build 22000.593 build and made the default browser change? Let us know in the comments below.
Final words: Microsoft has added a much-needed “Set default” button in Settings of Windows 11 stable build with an optional update KB5011563 to make it easier for users to set a default browser. As you all know, Microsoft Edge comes as the default browser in Windows.
More on Windows 11:
How to Switch from Windows 11 Dev to Beta Channel
How to disable ‘Search Highlights’ on Windows 11 & Windows 10
Finally! Windows 11 gets Tabs Support for File Explorer, how to Enable
How to enable the new redesigned “Open with dialog” in Windows 11
