How to Make IE11 the Default Browser in Windows

Automatically open web files and links in Internet Explorer

What to Know

  • In Windows 10: In the Windows Start Menu search bar, enter Default apps, then select Default apps in the search results.
  • In the Default apps window, go to the Web browser section and click the current browser. Select Internet Explorer to reset the default.
  • In Windows 8 and 7: IE is the default browser. To reset it, open IE and go to Settings (gear) > Default web browser > Make default.

This article explains how to make Internet Explorer 11 your default web browser in Windows if you prefer it to Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer and recommends that you update to the newer Edge browser. Head to their site to download the newest version.

How to Set IE as the Default Browser in Windows 10

Although Microsoft Edge is the preferred web browser for Windows 10, you can still set Internet Explorer as your default browser.

  1. In the Windows Start Menu search bar, enter Default apps, then select Default apps in the search results.

    Opening default apps
  2. In the Default apps window, go to the Web browser section and select the current browser.

    The Web Browser category in Default Apps
  3. Select Internet Explorer.

    The Default Browser settings in Windows 10

    To configure IE 11 to open only certain file types, select Choose default apps by file type at the bottom of the Default apps window.


  4. Close the settings window. Your default browser is set as Internet Explorer 11.

How to Make Internet Explorer the Default Browser for Windows 8 and 7

Internet Explorer is the default browser for Windows 8 and Windows 7. However, if you changed it to something else, here's how to change it back:

  1. Select the Settings Gear in the upper-right corner of IE 11 and choose Internet options from the drop-down menu.

    Internet Options under settings
  2. Select the Programs tab.

    Programs tab in IE settings
  3. In the Default web browser section, select Make default.

    The Make Default button
  4. Select OK to close the dialog box. Internet Explorer is set as your computer's default web browser.

    The OK button
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