How can i stop my browser from being changed back to microsoft default after every update?

Question

I HATE having to reset my default browser after every Microsoft update on my laptop, and it needs to stop permanently. I use Google chrome and that is how I want it to stay. Also, I appreciate the updates to the microsoft apps of course, but no settings on my computer should ever automatically be changed from how I have it set up. What do I need to do in order to make my chosen settings permanent?

Answer 1

Hi Amy Cockrell,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum.

Thank you for sharing your concern. Windows 11 allows you to choose your preferred browser, and with the right setup, Google Chrome can remain your default even after updates.
For your information, Windows 11 manages default apps by specific link types and file types. After major updates, these associations may need to be re‑confirmed to ensure your preferred browser is consistently used.

Here's the clarified list of steps from Q&A Assist that you can consider trying:

1, Set Chrome as the default for all web links

• Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps
• Search for Google Chrome then select Set default
• Confirm Chrome is assigned to HTTP, HTTPS, .htm, .html (and PDF if desired)

2, Check Windows mode

• Go to Settings > System > Activation
• If the device is in S mode, switch out to allow Chrome to stay as default (this is a one‑time change)

3, Review Outlook / Teams link behavior (optional)

• In Outlook or Teams settings, choose Default browser for opening links, instead of a specific app

Additionally, you can try this advanced workaround - Disable Edge “browser replacement” tasks:

• Open Task Scheduler
• Go to: Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience
• Disable tasks referencing:
  • Edge browser replacement
  • Silent installer behavior

Please note that Microsoft may re‑enable these during feature updates. When Microsoft Edge opens after an update, simply close it without accepting recommended settings, this helps preserve your current preferences.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 2

Windows updates should not permanently override a user’s default browser choice. To keep Google Chrome as the default, ensure it is set correctly in Windows, and be aware of cases where Microsoft Edge must remain default (for example, in S mode or for specific app scenarios like Outlook/Teams links).

1. Confirm Chrome as the Windows default browser
   1. Open Settings on Windows.
   2. Select Apps > Default apps.
   3. Under Set defaults for applications, select Google Chrome.
   4. Choose Set default (if available) or, for each file type and link type (especially .htm, .html, HTTP, HTTPS), select Google Chrome.
   This ensures Windows itself is configured to use Chrome by default for web content.
2. Be aware of S mode limitations (if applicable)
   • On Windows 10 or Windows 11 in S mode, Microsoft Edge is always the default browser and Bing is the default search engine. Chrome or Firefox cannot be set as default while in S mode.
   • To use Chrome as default, it is necessary to permanently switch out of S mode. After switching out, any browser and search engine can be set as default, but S mode cannot be re-enabled.
3. Outlook and Teams links opening in Edge
   • Even when Chrome is the system default, web links from Outlook for Windows and Microsoft Teams desktop can be configured to open in Microsoft Edge so that the email or chat appears side-by-side in the Edge sidebar.
   • This behavior does not replace the Windows default browser; it only affects links opened from those apps.
   • In Outlook or Teams settings, choose the preferred browser for opening web links if the current behavior is not desired.

If Windows is not in S mode and Chrome is correctly set as the default in Settings > Apps > Default apps, updates should not continually revert the system-wide default browser. For S mode devices, switching out of S mode is required to make Chrome the permanent default.

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References:

• Change Default Apps in Windows
• Why can't I uninstall Microsoft Edge?
• Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S mode FAQ
• Web links from Outlook emails and Teams chats open in Microsoft Edge
• Default Programs