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
    2023-09-06T12:31:44+00:00

    You're asking to "Turn it off". No way to do that.

    The default is Edge. This is a personal preference that should be controlled by the end-user, not a group policy or registry hack for a group.

    Not everyone uses the same browser. Some may prefer Edge or Firefox, or Safari etc.

    Unless you want to enforce all your users only have access to a certain browser, then I wouldn't even bother trying to figure what registry setting could be added/modified.

    In my IT world, I would just create a KB for the end-users on how to change it, and just reference that when needed.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-09-06T09:04:54+00:00

    Hi Guys,

    Do you know if there is any fix for this except from changing it manually in settings?
    We get bunch of calls everyday about changing this setting.

    It would be perfect if we could turn this off through f.e. a registry fix.

    Thnx!

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-09-01T06:09:32+00:00

    Followed the links but couldnt find Link Handling after the advanced? Have they changed it

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-08-31T04:29:23+00:00

    Couldnt find 4. Link handling when I got to that step? Thanks if you can assist or has MS changed the program or is it under another heading.

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