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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

3100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

180 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-10-12T18:27:56+00:00

    Amazing, thank you!!!!!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-10-05T21:40:10+00:00

    Under the heading "File and browser preferences" ,there is no such option "Open hyperlinks from Outlook in: Choose Default Browser" in Outlook 2021

    Image

    I believe the setting is only in the latest versions of Outlook. Instead, check your default browser setting in Windows. In Windows 11, go to Settings >> Apps >> Default Apps. Find and choose your preferred browser in the list and then click Set as default.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-10-05T16:09:34+00:00

    If the Outlook setting was already set to "default browser" then set to Edge and then save. Then go back into Outlook settings and set to "default browser" again and then restart Outlook. Microsoft continually hijacks our programs and browsers and requires us to continually change things until we get exhausted from their gaslighting that we no longer have the strength to resist.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-02T12:41:31+00:00

    This doesnt work for me. If I change to Edge, the links on Outlook work and open in Edge, but when I make Chrome the default, they refuse to open. Liiks like microsoft have done some tinkering.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments