Setting Chrome as your default browser in three steps

To make Chrome your default browser, you open Chrome's settings, find the Default Browser section, and click one button. The exact steps depend on whether you use Windows or Mac, but both take less than a minute. After you finish, every link you click from email, documents, or other programs will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser is currently set.

Your operating system needs to know which browser to use when you click a link outside of a browser window. Setting a default saves you from having to choose every single time. If you have never changed your default browser, it is probably Edge on Windows or Safari on Mac — whichever came with your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Chrome, go to Settings > Default Browser, and click "Make default".
  • On Mac, open Chrome, go to Chrome menu > Settings > Default Browser, and click "Make default".
  • Windows may ask you to confirm the change through your system settings; click "Chrome" when prompted.
  • After you set Chrome as default, links from email, PDFs, and other programs will open in Chrome automatically.
  • You can change your default browser back to another browser at any time using the same steps.

How to set Chrome as default on Windows

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner of the window. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button) and select Settings. On the left side of the screen, click Default Browser. You will see a section that says "Make Google Chrome your default browser" with a button that says Make default. Click that button.

Windows will open your system settings and show you a list of browsers. Find Google Chrome in the list and click it once to select it. Windows will confirm the change and close the settings window. You are now done — Chrome is your default browser.

If you do not see the Make default button, Chrome is already set as your default browser. You can close the settings page.

How to set Chrome as default on Mac

Open Chrome. At the very top of your screen, click the word Chrome (to the left of "File" and "Edit"). A dropdown menu will appear. Click Settings. On the left side, click Default Browser. You will see a button that says Make default. Click it.

Mac will ask you to confirm. A small window will pop up asking if you want to change your default browser to Chrome. Click the Change button to confirm. The window will close and you are finished — Chrome is now your default browser.

If the Make default button is not there, Chrome is already your default. You can close the settings page.

What happens after you set Chrome as default

Once Chrome is your default browser, any link you click outside of a browser will open in Chrome. This includes links in email, text messages, Word documents, PDFs, and any other program on your computer. You will no longer see a dialog asking which browser to use.

If you click a link and want it to open in a different browser instead, you can right-click the link and choose "Open with" to pick a different browser for that one click. This does not change your default — the next link will still open in Chrome.

Changing your default browser back

If you decide you want a different browser as your default, the process is identical. Open that browser, go to its settings, find the Default Browser section, and click the button to make it default. Your operating system will switch immediately.

You can change your default browser as many times as you want. There is no penalty or waiting period — each change takes effect right away.

Troubleshooting: Chrome does not appear as an option

If you go to your system settings and Chrome does not appear in the browser list, Chrome may not be fully installed on your computer. Close the settings window and open Chrome itself. If Chrome opens without error, it is installed. Go back to Chrome's settings and click Make default again — this usually fixes the problem.

If Chrome will not open at all, you may need to reinstall it. Go to google.com/chrome on a different browser, download the installer, and run it. Once Chrome is installed, follow the steps above to set it as your default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default slow down my computer?

No. Setting a default browser does not affect your computer's speed or performance. It only changes which program opens when you click a link outside of a browser.

Can I have two default browsers?

No. Your operating system allows only one default browser at a time. If you want to use different browsers for different tasks, you can open them manually and right-click links to choose which one to use.

Do I need to restart my computer after setting Chrome as default?

No. The change takes effect immediately. You can start clicking links in other programs right away and they will open in Chrome.

What if my workplace or school controls my computer settings?

Some organizations lock down browser settings so employees or students cannot change them. If the Make default button is grayed out or missing, your IT department has restricted this change. Contact them if you need Chrome to be your default browser.

Does setting Chrome as default mean all my passwords and bookmarks move to Chrome?

No. Setting a default browser only controls which program opens links. Your passwords and bookmarks stay in whatever browser they were in. If you want to move them to Chrome, you can use Chrome's import feature in settings.