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Outlook Links Don't Open in Chrome (Set as Default Browser)

Anonymous
2023-03-13T18:35:12+00:00

Hi, as of today, when I click a link in Outlook, it opens in Microsoft Edge even though Google Chrome is my default web application. I've verified that in Apps > Default Apps that Google Chrome is my default web browser. I've attempted to change my computer's registry default web app to Chrome as well, and Outlook links are still being opened in Edge. Can you please help me?

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business

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Anonymous
2023-04-10T14:37:24+00:00

I finally found the option to change the default browser for outlook. The option is in Outlook.

Change the default browser for NEW Outlook:

  1. Open Outlook
  2. Go to settings by clicking the gear icon in the top right corner
  3. Click on the General tab
  4. Click on Links
  5. Choose Default browser instead of Microsoft Edge

Change the default browser for OLD Outlook:

  1. Open Outlook
  2. File
  3. Options
  4. Advanced
  5. File and browser preferences
  6. Open hyperlinks from Outlook in: Choose Default Browser
  7. Restart Outlook

Change the default browser for Windows 11:

  1. Click on the Wi-Fi or Speaker icon by the Clock, then click on the Gear icon to open Windows Settings.
  2. Once in Settings, go to Apps → Default Apps.
  3. Find your preferred browser in the list and click on it.
  4. Click the button 'Set default'.

Turn off Outlook Side bar:

If you do use Edge but only want to turn off the Outlook Side bar that pops up in edge when you click a link in your email, follow these steps:

  1. Open Edge
  2. Click ...
  3. Settings
  4. Sidebar
  5. Under App and notification settings, Click Outlook
  6. Automatically open Outlook email context in the side pane: Toggle Off.

Edit 5/12/2025

-Added instructions for the new Outlook.

Edit 10/5/2023

-Added instructions on how to set the default browser in Windows as well.

Edit 9/12/2023:

  • Glad to have helped so many people with this post.
  • Updated the wording on step 5 to match the wording in the latest version of Outlook.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-06-05T19:06:11+00:00

    I finally found the option to change the default browser for outlook. The option is in Outlook

    1. File
    2. Options
    3. Advanced
    4. Link Handling
    5. Open hyper links from Outlook in: Choose Default Browser

    This is the answer.

    Microsoft needs to stop forcing Edge when an alternative browser is set as the Windows default. Respect the browser that is set as default in Windows settings.... it's pathetic enough that they have the extra "Switch anyway" confirmation when setting the default to something other than Edge. Now you're going to obnoxiously force links in your applications to default to Edge despite the Windows default browser being set to something else?

    I also love that they hide it under "Advanced" settings. Yeah... choosing which web browser you prefer to use is an advanced adjustment. What a joke, and a nuance.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-05-17T17:15:15+00:00

    Great Answer! Thank you very much. In all my searching, this was the only answer that solved my problem.

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    80+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2023-06-03T02:41:58+00:00

    Saleaway, you're the only one who's been able to successfully help with this problem. All of microsoft is dragging their feet. I think it's because they want you to use their own BS products such as edge. Thank you so much for providing this useful information! Much appreciated!

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  4. Emmanuel Santana 39,620 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-03-13T21:06:50+00:00

    Hello, thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community. I am here to help and provide assistance with any questions or concerns you may have.

    I found a quick fix that might work for you, please follow these instructions:

    1. Open Windows Settings or Control Panel and navigate to Default Programs.
    2. Choose Microsoft Edge as your default browser.
    3. Click on the link in your email to confirm that it opens in Edge, then close Edge.
    4. Reopen Chrome
    5. Select Chrome as your default browser
    6. Click on the link in your email again. It should now open in Chrome.

    This quick fix was provided by another user on this link:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com...

    Do let me know if it worked for you.

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    50+ people found this answer helpful.
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