14 DAY TRIAL // Setting a new default browser on the modern versions of Windows has long been quite a struggle, as Microsoft has unnecessarily complicated the whole thing, making people think the company just wants them to stick with Microsoft Edge.
Windows 11 made no exception to this rule, as the new operating system still made it very challenging to set a new default browser.
But as it turns out, the Redmond-based software giant is currently working on fixing this, as the latest preview build includes a new dedicated option in this regard.
German site Deskmodder has noticed that Windows 11 now has a “Set default” button on the Settings page of each installed app, therefore making it easier to set a new default browser on the OS.
On the other hand, this option is pretty difficult to discover on your own, and given browsers are still not allowed to integrate a dedicated feature in this regard, the next best thing is to just link to this new Settings page on Windows 11.
Currently available only for insiders
Microsoft hasn’t publicly announced this new option, but keep in mind it’s currently available only for users running preview builds of the operating system in the Windows Insider program. There’s no ETA as to when it could be released for everybody out there, but most likely, it’ll be part of the next feature update for Windows 11.
For the time being, the easiest way to change the default browser on a Windows 11 device continues to be the dedicated default apps Settings page.
The good news is that more browsers end up feeling like home on Windows 11, as they go live in the Microsoft Store and therefore receive updates in a more straightforward manner. Firefox is one of the biggest browsers that are already live in the Microsoft Store on Windows 11.