How to Make Microsoft Edge Your Default Browser on Windows and Mac

Browser is a very essential utility, it helps you surf the net, login to your mail client, and even use a web app required for your day-to-day tasks.

Microsoft Edge took its own sweet time to catch up with the competition when it came to having essential features and functionalities. However, now that it has them, Microsoft Edge is an appealing prospect; more so, if you are using Windows-based devices more often than any other operating system.

Setting Microsoft Edge as your Default Browser on Windows

Windows is Microsoft Edge’s home turf, the browser is optimized for best performance along with carrying the Windows 11 design language. It is also the default browser in Windows out of the box, but if you changed it to something else and wish to switch back to Edge, here’s how you can do it.

To set the Microsoft Edge as your default browser, first, head to the Start Menu. Then, either click on the ‘Settings’ tile present in the ‘Pinned apps’ section or search for it by typing in the Start Menu.

Next, from the Settings window, click on the ‘Apps’ tab present on the left sidebar.

After that, from the right section of the window, click on the ‘Default apps’ tile to proceed.

Now, on the ‘Default apps’ screen, either scroll down to locate the Microsoft Edge tile or use the search bar present under the ‘Set defaults for applications’ label to search for the browser.

Once located, click on the ‘Microsoft Edge’ tile to proceed.

After that, locate the ‘Make Microsoft Edge your default browser’ tile and click on the ‘Set default’ button to let Microsoft Edge open all the basic file types and links on your browser. This will change some, but not all default file types to open with Edge.

Furthermore, if you wish to open specific file types such as .PDF, or mail sending hyperlinks to open with Chrome, scroll down to locate the ‘.PDF’ section and click on the tile present below. This will bring a separate overlay window on your screen.

Now, from the overlay window, click to select the ‘Microsoft Edge’ option and then click on the ‘OK’ button to apply. You will now see the tile showcasing Microsoft Edge.

And that’s it, you have now set Microsoft Edge as the default browser on your Windows device.

Setting Microsoft Edge as a Default Browser on macOS

Though Microsoft Edge has very tight integration with Windows operating system, switching the default browser to Edge on macOS is far more convenient and simple when compared to the process in Windows. Moreover, there are 2 ways you can about it on your macOS device.

Make Microsoft Edge Default Using System Preferences on Mac

You can quickly shift to Microsoft Edge without even launching the browser on your machine. Moreover, the process will literally take you 3 clicks to switch your default web browser.

To do so, launch the ‘System Preferences’ app either from the dock or from the launchpad of your device.

After that, on the ‘System Preferences’ window, click on the ‘General’ tab from the grid of options.

On the next screen, locate the ‘Default web browser’ section and click on the drop-down menu present to the right of the option.

Then, click to select the ‘Microsoft Edge’ option from the list to make the Edge your default web browser.

And that’s it, you have now successfully changed your default web browser to Microsoft Edge.

Make Microsoft Edge Default Using Browser Settings

If you are reading this guide from Edge browser on your macOS device, and do not feel like opening the System Preference app just to change the default browser, you are in luck as you can do so right from the Edge browser itself.

To change the default browser to Microsoft Edge this way, first, launch the Edge browser either from the launchpad or from the dock if not already open.

Next, from the Edge home screen, click on the ‘ellipsis icon’ present on the top-right corner of the window. Then, from the overflow menu locate and click on the ‘Settings’ option to proceed.