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
    2023-12-19T22:04:55+00:00

    Same problem. And there is no registry keys as well to fix it.

    It is awful, i dont know why microsoft doing it.

    In my situation I still looking how to solve this problem, and so far no luck.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-19T22:27:47+00:00

    Just wanted to share a recent hiccup we've encountered since our company made the move to the cloud. The issue revolves around Windows 11 Edge, where the mouse cursor mysteriously disappears when hovering over the browser - quite a head-scratcher, right? ( !!! )

    I've attempted a few fixes, such as changing the default browser to chrome and changing default browser in Outlook properties, but alas, no luck. The option to change the browser in Outlook properties seems to be playing hide-and-seek, and diving into the registry revealed no "links" folder. What gives, Microsoft?

    This snag is more than just an inconvenience; it's affecting our day-to-day operations. If anyone has cracked the code on this please share your wisdom.

    Microsoft, we appreciate innovation, but this feels like a abuse.

    A little help here, or at least the freedom to explore alternatives, would be greatly appreciated.

    Welcome to Microsoft Cloud!

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-27T22:19:21+00:00

    Many of our computers don't have "link handling" as an option.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-01-04T22:47:41+00:00

    This guide should help on exactly how to set your default browser for opening links in Outlook. It turns out it's not just a setting in Windows, but you have to tell Outlook as well...

    https://blog.techygeekshome.info/2024/01/how-to-open-outlook-links-with-google-chrome/

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