Despite setting Google Chrome as your default browser, it’s kind of weird, but links still stubbornly open in Microsoft Edge. Happens quite often in Windows 11, especially if you’ve tinkered with settings or installed recent updates. Usually, it comes down to conflicting file associations, corrupted settings, or some application override that messes things up. The good news? There are a bunch of ways to fix this and get Chrome handling all your web links again, from simple tweaks in Windows Settings to more advanced registry edits if needed. This guide covers everything so you can troubleshoot the root cause and hopefully see the links open where they should—namely, in Chrome.
How to Fix Chrome Links Opening in Edge on Windows 11
Using Windows Settings to Set Chrome as Default Browser
This is the most straightforward way, and it often works if Windows properly recognizes your preferred browser. Basically, you tell Windows explicitly: “Hey, use Chrome for everything related to web links.”
Steps:
- Open Windows Settings. Click the Start menu, then hit Settings.
- Click on Apps > Default apps.
- In the search box, type “Chrome, ” then click on Google Chrome from the list.
- Click the Set default button. This should set Chrome as the default for HTTP, HTTPS, .html, .htm, and other web-related file types automatically. If not, you’ll need to check each file type and set Chrome manually.
Sometimes, despite this, links still open in Edge. That’s because Windows keeps a few stubborn associations—especially for protocols like HTTP and HTTPS—that need a closer look.
Rechecking and adjusting file type associations
Yep, Windows can be weirdly granular. Even if Chrome is set as default, some protocol associations might be stuck on Edge. To verify:
- Head to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- Scroll down and click on Choose defaults by file type or Choose defaults by protocol.
- Find
.htmland.htm— make sure they point to Chrome. Also, do the same forHTTPandHTTPS.
This extra step sometimes helps clean up conflicting settings. On some setups, it required opening the Default Apps page and manually adjusting each association.
Fix 1: Fix Application-Specific Link Handling (like Outlook)
Some apps have their own default behaviors. Outlook, for example, can override the system default for links. If clicking links from Outlook always opens Edge, then that’s your culprit. Usually, changing Outlook’s link handling options fixes it.
- Open Outlook, then go to File > Options.
- Select Advanced from the left side.
- Look for Link handling or Hyperlink options. There should be a setting like “Open hyperlinks from Outlook in”.
- Change it to Default browser or explicitly select Chrome if available.
- Hit OK then restart Outlook and test clicking a link.
On some machines, this setting might need a restart or even a reboot to take effect, but once fixed, links from that app should open in Chrome now.
Fix 2: Repair System Files with SFC and Reset Defaults
Sometimes, Windows’ file association system gets corrupted or confused, especially after updates or faulty installs. Running System File Checker (SFC) can repair corrupted files that might be causing the weird link redirection.
- Type
PowerShellinto the Start menu search, right-click, and choose Run as administrator. - In PowerShell, type
SFC /Scannowand press Enter. - Let it run—it might take a few minutes. If it finds issues, it’ll attempt to fix them automatically.
- After that’s done, reboot your PC.
- If the problem remains, go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and click Reset all default apps.
- Re-set Chrome as the default for all web-related protocols and file types again.
This often clears out weird associations that linger after system updates or buggy installs.
Fix 3: Registry Edits — Tread Carefully!
Sometimes the registry holds onto settings that can make Windows ignore your default app choices. For this, you’d want to delete the “UserChoice” subkeys under certain registry paths, because they lock in the association. Anyway, make sure to back up your registry or create a restore point first—because Windows has to be holding your hand for this one.
- Open Registry Editor: press Windows key + R, type
regedit, hit Enter. - Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\http\UserChoiceHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\https\UserChoice
- Right-click on each UserChoice key and delete it.
- Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.
- After reboot, re-assign Chrome as your default for HTTP/HTTPS protocols again from the Default Apps page.
This fix is kind of a nuclear option, but on stubborn setups, it can help until Windows gets its act together.
Summary
- Set Chrome as default via Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps
- Double-check file type and protocol associations
- Adjust app-specific link handling (like Outlook)
- Run SFC / Scannow if files seem broken
- Be cautious with registry edits—backup first!
Wrap-up
Getting Chrome to open links instead of Edge can be a bit of a puzzle, especially with Windows 11’s persistent default app quirks. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of cleaning up associations or resetting certain overrides. Other times, it takes a little registry tinkering or repair work. Still, these techniques tend to solve most cases, and once they’re done, clicking links should open Chrome as intended. Just keep in mind, Windows sometimes resets these prefs after updates, so it might need a bit of a repeat performance now and then. Fingers crossed this helps—worked for a bunch of setups I’ve come across, so hopefully, it does for you too.