Microsoft has lastly solved its browser alternative downside inside Home windows 11…type of.
As Neowin famous, the newest non-compulsory replace to Home windows 11 (construct 2000.593, or KB5011563) features a lengthy listing of bug fixes—however one new characteristic that it hides is the power to lastly set your default browser in a single click on. In case you navigate to Home windows 11’s Settings menu after which Home windows Replace, you may even see it as an non-compulsory replace in the intervening time. (The replace will probably be added as a typical Home windows 11 replace sooner or later within the close to future.)
As we famous in our authentic Home windows 11 evaluate, the shortcoming to simply change between browsers was a serious flaw of Home windows 11. Our listing of the very best browsers for Home windows 11 assumes that you simply’ll be capable to simply change backwards and forwards, and at no cost. Prior to now, Home windows 11 compelled you to assign a default browser to every file kind: an HTML file, PDF file, and so forth.
Mark Hachman / IDG
Now, underneath KB5011563, you’ll be able to navigate to the Settings menu, then Apps > Default apps and choose an app like Google Chrome. It’s best to see a “Make Google Chrome your default browser” button on the high. Clicking it is going to change the default app for HTTP, HTTPS, HTM and HTML information to Chrome…and that’s it.
So, sure, Microsoft isn’t solely switching your default browser—or, whether it is, it’s defining “browser” as “primarily accessing web sites”. Edge will nonetheless be the default browser for PDF information, FTP transfers, SHTML, and XHTML information. It’s the primary file class—PDF information—the place you’ll most likely wish to change the default browser to Chrome. However if you happen to do, Microsoft will throw up considered one of its detested adverts as a substitute.
Mark Hachman / IDG
Bear in mind, we’re truly in favor of adverts selling new options inside Home windows. This advert stands in the way in which of a professional person alternative, and there’s actually no motive for it. Leaving the default PDF file handler unchanged implies that Microsoft hopes to raise the variety of Edge’s month-to-month customers by often launching Edge to serve PDF information.
Nonetheless, most of the modifications Microsoft has made to Home windows 11 have been in response to customers loudly demanding the return of options that Microsoft eradicated from Home windows 11. Browser alternative is a type of must-have choices.
