Among other innovations, the Windows 10 operating system was marked with a completely new browser. Edge, replacing the oldest Internet browser in the world, Internet Explorer (IE). The latter still exists, but is hidden quite far away in the bowels of the operating system. It was even removed from the taskbar. Apparently, Internet Explorer now serves only one purpose - to provide so-called backward compatibility. In addition, it is still considered the most secure browser for financial transactions. Many companies use special software in combination with IE for mutual settlements. The new Edge browser loudly announced itself with all sorts of (in my opinion, not very useful) innovations, but nevertheless it continues to actively change and develop. For example, in July 2016, when a major Redstone update was released for the top ten, the functionality of the Edge improved markedly. Small details made me happy personally. For example, when you right-click on a bookmark, the items "Open in a new tab" and "Edit" appeared, and the item "Insert and go" now appeared in the address bar. Little things, but nice. However, in other browsers they were implemented a long time ago.
Which browser should you choose for Windows 10?
Be that as it may, despite all the improvements, neither one (Edge) nor another (Internet Explorer) browser from Microsoft personally makes me absolutely outdated. In this opinion, I am by no means alone. According to a reputable Irish service StatCounter for the first two weeks of September 2016, the number of users Edge in Russia does not exceed the statistical error, and Internet Explorer is used by only 5.5% of the inhabitants of our country. True, at the same time, it is still included in the five most popular browsers in Russia. The undisputed leader in the Russian Federation is Google chrome (48.4%), and already followed by Mozilla Firefox (14,85%), Yandex. (12.27%) and Opera (almost 9%).
It is up to everyone to decide which of these browsers to choose in order to replace the default Edge installed in Windows 10. Personally, I use several Internet browsers for different needs. The main one for me is Google Chrome, the second most used is Opera. Both of them, in my opinion, are quite comfortable and nimble. In addition, in comparison with others, the data synchronization function is the most refined in them, which allows you to reinstall the top ten, enter the browser, enter your account data and immediately return all your bookmarks, passwords, and so on.
P.S .: Often, when installing any programs, you are prompted to install a browser Amigo from Mail.ru. I strongly advise against doing this. There are so many spam add-ons in it that even traditionally quiet antivirus programs start swearing at it. In general, I personally try to stay away from Mail's developments: it's hard to find more intrusive services than this kind of large and even respected (at least in the financial world) company. In general, this Amigo is a completely undignified product, and after its installation it is very annoying to clean all the software garbage that appeared along with it without any demand.
Change your primary browser in Windows 10 step by step
Now let's move on to the very process of changing the default Internet browser in Windows 10. There are at least two ways to do this: through the old and well-known Control Panel or using the new function " Parameters».
1 way
To begin with, I will consider a newer method, through the "Parameters". I believe that it is better to immediately master the innovations than to habitually grab onto the "fragments" of old operating systems in the form of the Control Panel. Moreover, the new method is much more convenient and understandable for ordinary users, and the old one is confusing and more suitable for professionals.
- First, you need to launch the tool itself in the "Start" menu or in the "Notification Center" Parameters". In both cases, you need to do two steps, so they are the same in terms of speed of execution. Choose for yourself what is more convenient. Want it even faster? Click Win + i.
- Now we open the item " Applications».
- In the left column, select the second item " Default apps».
- Then we scroll down the page to the item " Web browser", Click on it and select the Internet browser we need as the main Internet browser.
Windows 10 may then ask an additional question as to whether we really don't want to use their delightful Edge product as our default browser anymore. We answer what we think is necessary and close the "Parameters". You don't need to save the changes anywhere, they take effect automatically after making a selection. Now default browser in Windows 10 changed.
2 way
I will not describe in detail the second, more confused method. I will give it in the form of specific steps:
- We find through the search (magnifying glass on the taskbar) "Control Panel".
- We go to the "Programs" tab (green).
- Among the multibooks, we find a large green item "Default Programs".
- Go to the item "Setting default programs".
- We are waiting for a certain amount of time while the system collects data about all programs by default.
- In the list that appears on the left, select the browser we need and click on the right "Use this program as default."
I think you will agree with me that the first method is much faster and easier. However, knowing about the second option does not hurt either. It allows you to make more detailed, subtle settings, for example, change those default programs that are not available to us through the "Parameters". However, it is easier to "get lost" in it. Therefore, in a situation where we just need change the default browser used in Windows 10, a simpler, faster and more understandable way is quite enough for us.
In versions of Windows, starting from 8.1 and older, few people are interested in the issue of setting the default browser, since all these points are decided for the users by the developers of this type of software. One or another third-party web browser during installation itself offers to become the main one in the system. And all that needs to be done for this is to confirm the request for this operation. Well, or at the beginning to refuse, and then return to this issue later and in the browser settings manually use the option of assigning it to the program for accessing the Internet by default. In Windows 10, Microsoft limited the self-will of the creators of web browsers and left it at the mercy of users to make the final decision about which of them will be in charge of the system.
In the current version of the system, the option to set the browser as default in its settings has no effect immediately. If we want to make, for example, Firefox the main one in the system,
after clicking the appropriate option in its settings, we will get into the standard application "Parameters", in the section "Applications by default".
Where we need to manually select Firefox.
At the same time, if Microsoft Edge is dethroned for the first time, Windows 10 will ask the user to postpone the decision and still try to work with the Internet in a regular web browser window. At one time, many browser developers, especially the Mozilla Foundation, were publicly indignant about this situation. But Microsoft has remained adamant. Moreover, in the current assembly of Windows 10, and this is at the time of writing of article 1709 (Fall Creators Update), the ability to set default programs in the control panel has been removed. More precisely, the settings section responsible for this possibility remained, but all its options lead to the section-analogue of the "Parameters" application.
What if in this section it is impossible to select the desired browser to make it the main one? If he is simply not there or he is, but no matter how you select him with a mouse click, he still is not selected.
In the same section "Parameters" (path "Applications - Applications by default") go down below and click the option to set the default values for each individual program.
Find the desired browser in the list and click "Control".
And we indicate it as the main one for each of the file extensions and protocols present in the list (or only for fundamentally important).
If the web browser was just installed, and it is not in any list, we reboot into the system (or reboot) and try to repeat the steps. As a last resort, you can try to fix the problem by reinstalling the browser. If Windows 10 is paused to receive updates, the system glitches may go away with the latest updates. This is usually the case when developers make patch updates.
If you have more than one browser installed on your computer, then you will constantly come across a notification asking which one you want to use to open a particular file. Over time, this can get bored, and you are left with two options - delete all browsers except the most convenient one, or change the settings and select the default browser.
What is the default browser?
In the basic settings of your computer, you can find the "Default browser" option. It designates which of the browsers on your computer will open links. That is, if you open a file containing a link to a document or page, you will not receive the message “Which browser should you use to execute this command?”, But you will immediately go to the desired tab.
How to install and configure the default browser
There are several ways to change the browser that will be given priority in performing tasks.
Universal way
This method is suitable for setting any browser to the "default" status, since the parameters will be changed through the settings of the computer itself. The only difference is the location of these settings, depending on the version of Windows.
How to change in Windows 10
How to change in Windows 7 and 8
How to assign manually
If for some reason you cannot switch to changing the default browser through the computer settings, then you can do this through the browser itself. If you are using Windows 8.1, 10, then the settings will appear on the screen, in which you will need to confirm the action by changing the browser manually.
How to choose Google Chrome as default
How to change settings for Opera
Configuring settings for Mozila Firefox
What settings to set to use Yandex Browser
How to make Internet Explorer the permanent default browser
How to set Microsoft Edge as default
Confirmation of the change
The final way to change the default browser is to accept the notification that sometimes appears when starting a non-primary browser.
What to do if the default browser is not installed
There are several ways to fix the error that keeps the browser resetting by default or not showing up at all.
Reboot your computer
The first thing to do in a situation like this is to restart your computer. All programs and background processes will be restarted and may start working correctly.
Reinstallation
Completely erase the browser from your computer's memory, and then download the installation file from the developer's official website and go through the installation process. This can help when the files responsible for the operation of the browser have been damaged by a virus or user actions.
Change the way you open programs and files
If you cannot install the default browser, then you can do the opposite: set all files and programs to a browser through which they will be required to open at startup.
So, if you use several browsers at the same time, then you need to choose the most convenient one and change the computer settings so that all the necessary files and programs are opened using it by default. This can be done through the Windows settings or the settings of the browser itself. If your default browser keeps resetting, then you need to manually fix the problem using one of the above methods.
A few days ago, the new operating system Windows 10 was officially released. Those who have already received the update on their computer can try how Opera works in the new OS.
With tons of new features, a redesigned Start menu, and an improved design, Windows 10 looks great. However, some of the system settings are not as intuitive as we would like. For example, setting the default browser in Windows 10 is a little more difficult than in previous versions of Windows. For those who haven't figured it out yet - here are 2 ways you can set the default browser in Windows 10.
How to set the default browser in Windows 10 through the Start menu:
- From the start menu open Settings and select System;
- Please select Default apps on the left side of the screen;
- Scroll down to section Browser... If you haven't changed anything yet, Microsoft Edge will be there;
- Click on default browser and select browser Opera.
That's the whole instruction. You have successfully installed Opera as your default browser.
How to set the default browser in Windows 10 through browser settings:
Many of you, of course, are used to the fact that Opera can be set as your default browser right from its own settings. In Windows 10, you can get started in a similar way, but there are a few more steps added to it:
- Open up Settings in Opera for computers and click Browser;
- Click on the button Do Opera as default browser under the heading Default browser.
- After that, you will see a pop-up window describing additional steps to change the browser in the system settings. You will need to close this window before opening System Preferences. After that, it remains to do 4 actions described above: Start -> Settings -> System -> Default apps-> Browser.
It will get easier soon
As you can see, it still takes a few extra clicks to set the default browser on Windows 10. It takes longer than we would like. Therefore, we are already working on a solution that will allow you to go directly to the "Applications by default" section in the system settings. It will appear in the stable version very soon.
Tell us how you feel about Windows 10!
