Outlook Links Don't Open in Chrome (Set as Default Browser)

Anonymous
2023-03-13T18:35:12+00:00

Hi, as of today, when I click a link in Outlook, it opens in Microsoft Edge even though Google Chrome is my default web application. I've verified that in Apps > Default Apps that Google Chrome is my default web browser. I've attempted to change my computer's registry default web app to Chrome as well, and Outlook links are still being opened in Edge. Can you please help me?

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business

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Anonymous
2023-04-10T14:37:24+00:00

I finally found the option to change the default browser for outlook. The option is in Outlook.

Change the default browser for NEW Outlook:

  1. Open Outlook
  2. Go to settings by clicking the gear icon in the top right corner
  3. Click on the General tab
  4. Click on Links
  5. Choose Default browser instead of Microsoft Edge

Change the default browser for OLD Outlook:

  1. Open Outlook
  2. File
  3. Options
  4. Advanced
  5. File and browser preferences
  6. Open hyperlinks from Outlook in: Choose Default Browser
  7. Restart Outlook

Change the default browser for Windows 11:

  1. Click on the Wi-Fi or Speaker icon by the Clock, then click on the Gear icon to open Windows Settings.
  2. Once in Settings, go to Apps → Default Apps.
  3. Find your preferred browser in the list and click on it.
  4. Click the button 'Set default'.

Turn off Outlook Side bar:

If you do use Edge but only want to turn off the Outlook Side bar that pops up in edge when you click a link in your email, follow these steps:

  1. Open Edge
  2. Click ...
  3. Settings
  4. Sidebar
  5. Under App and notification settings, Click Outlook
  6. Automatically open Outlook email context in the side pane: Toggle Off.

Edit 5/12/2025

-Added instructions for the new Outlook.

Edit 10/5/2023

-Added instructions on how to set the default browser in Windows as well.

Edit 9/12/2023:

  • Glad to have helped so many people with this post.
  • Updated the wording on step 5 to match the wording in the latest version of Outlook.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-05-21T00:45:33+00:00

    There is literally no "Links" option under General. This is annoying AF. It's like they are forcing us to use edge.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-12T20:02:11+00:00

    Thanks for the info. I've updated the solution with the instructions for the New Outlook.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-05-12T19:48:48+00:00

    Thanks for the response, and I'm glad it worked for you. Unfortunately, none of that works for me: I don't have "settings" in the top right; I can get to "general" through "properties" in the bottom left, but there isn't a "links" option available. I'm not sure why yours and mine are different, as this is Outlook in Office 365 as well!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-05-12T19:25:58+00:00

    I have Outlook 365 and had this same issue, but found it this way (after far too long of searching):

    1. Open Outlook
    2. Go to settings (I find it on the settings icon on the top right of the screen)
    3. Click general
    4. Click Links
    5. Change from Microsoft Edge and select, "default browser"

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