How To: Changing the Default Browser & Email in Windows 11

This article explains how to change the Microsoft Windows 11 default browser from Microsoft Edge to your preferred browser and change your default email client from Microsoft Windows Mail to Microsoft Outlook.

Audience

This article is intended for faculty and staff.

Platform

Microsoft Windows 11

Changing Your Default Browser & Email Client

1. Click the Start Menu.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click Apps.
4. Click Default Apps.
5. Scroll down until you see Web Browser. Microsoft Edge will ne listed as the default web browser.
6. Click the Microsoft Edge icon.
7. Select the browser you would like to set as the default.
8. You will then be prompted with a pop up window asking you to try Microsoft Edge. Click Switch Anyway. You have now set your preferred browser as the default.

To change your default email from Windows Mail to Outlook, follow the steps above and click Email in the list of default apps in step 5 and select Outlook. You may change any of the listed default apps to meet your needs.

Pinning Your Default Browser & Email Client to Start Menu

1. In the Search bar next to the Start Menu, type the name of the default browser you selected (e.g. Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome). The browser will be listed in the search results.
2. Right-click the browser icon.
3. Left-click Pin to Start. Your default browser is now pinned to the Start Menu.

You can follow these steps above to pin Outlook 2016 or any app that you use frequently to the Start Menu.

Pinning Your Default Browser & Email Client to Task Bar

1. In the Search bar next to the  Start Menu, type the name of the default browser you selected (e.g. Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome). The browser will be listed in the search results.
2. Right-click the browser icon.
3. Left-click Pin to Task Bar. Your default browser is now pinned to the task bar.

You can follow these steps above to pin Outlook or any app that you use frequently to the task bar.