How to force Windows 11 to use default browser
When Windows 10 was first released, Microsoft forced users to use Edge for everything. Users could change the default browser but web requests from other apps or from the OS were routed to Edge. To get around this, users used the Edge Deflector app but it does not work on Windows 11 and Microsoft is forcing users to use Chromium Edge.
Windows 11 default browser
Chromium Edge is the stock browser on Windows 11 and you can change it to any other browser of your choice from the Settings app. The only problem is that, while you can change the default browser in Windows 11, the OS will still send some requests to Edge. Notably, search from the Start menu or Windows search will go to Edge and not your default browser. To fix this, there’s a script.
Force Windows 11 to use default browser
Before you can force Windows 11 to use your default browser, you must set it.
- Open the Settings app with the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
- Go to Apps.
- Select Default Apps.
- Select Default browser and select your browser of choice.
Now that you’ve set the default browser, you can get about to forcing Windows 11 to use it for everything.
- Visit the ChrEdgeFkOff.cmd Github page.
- Copy the script to your clipboard.
- Open PowerShell with admin rights.
- Paste it into PowerShell and press enter.
- When a new window opens, tap any key on the keyboard to close it.
- Web searches will now be redirected to your default browser.
If you feel you want to undo the change, or it’s causing problems on your system, you can remove the script. All you have to do is run the script again. Copy it from Github, paste it in PowerShell, and tap Enter. The new window that opens will indicate that the script is being removed and you’ll be good to go.
Conclusion
It’s surprising that Microsoft decided to do this to its users again. Chromium Edge is better than the version of Edge that Microsoft had developed before however, it hasn’t gained a lot of users on Windows 10. To force it on users on Windows 11 isn’t a good idea. Users are looking for ways to get around it and they have been developed. It’s only a matter of time before Edge Deflector catches up, or a similar, more user-friendly app is developed for the job. Microsoft may try to block them, as it did with Edge Deflector but Edge Deflector eventually came out on top and Microsoft gave up as far as Windows 10 is concerned.
