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
    2024-03-09T12:23:24+00:00

    Outlook 2007 does not have the path File>options>advanced. Can't seem to find another route to make the changes.

    Inherently enough this problem is my wife's notebook and mine is OK with hyperlinks in Outlook, same version.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-03-08T14:43:57+00:00

    Hi guys,

    For all the MSP administrators or internal IT personnel that will not be happy with adjusting this one specific setting manually, I think you guys might want to try the following: https://config.office.com/officeSettings/officePolicy/

    In there you can seek the following policy setting:

    Image

    Hope this will save a lot of you guys time!

    EDIT: No clue what role you have to have in the Microsoft 365 portal. I still didn't manage to find a registry fix for that for some reason...

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-03-08T14:23:29+00:00

    Hi! I had the same problem today - after you make Chrome your default browser, you'll need to go into Outlook and click File, Options, Advanced, and then under File and Browser preferences, where it says "Open hyperlinks from Outlook in" make sure you change from Edge to Default Browser. Then restart and it should work!

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-03-02T21:57:47+00:00

    Hi,

    I do not have this in Outlook 2007 (yes it's old but still works) Is there another way to set the default so hyperlinks will open in Chrome. Edge does not work either.

    Change the default browser for 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

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