New Windows 11 Update Lets Users Set Default Browser With Just One Click

Microsoft’s latest optional update for Windows 11 fixes one of the OS’ biggest annoyances. After installing this KB5011563 optional update, Windows 11 users will now be able to set a new default browser with a single click instead of having to go through the process of choosing a default browser for different file and link types one by one.

Microsoft has been testing this change with Windows Insiders since December, but the release notes for yesterday’s optional patch curiously don’t mention it (thanks Neowin for spotting it). Microsoft previously said that new features and OS improvements from Insider builds could show up in the production ring when they’re ready, and this simpler way to switch default browsers is a good example of that.

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To change your default browser with just one click, you can now just go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps, select your browser of choice, and then click the new “Set Default” button at the top. This will make it the default browser for opening all the different link and file types, and this is really how things should have been since the release of Windows 11 back in October.

This new optional patch also brings various bug fixes and a change regarding high-priority notifications. The OS can now display up to three high-priority toast notifications simultaneously for apps that send notifications for calls, reminders, or alarms.

Microsoft usually releases optional preview updates at the end of every month, but Windows 11 users who skip them will still get all of those improvements and bug fixes in the following Patch Tuesday update. If you can’t wait until next month, you can download this optional Windows 11 update from Windows Update right now.

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Conversation 7 comments

  • navarac

    29 March, 2022 - 10:45 am

    <p><em>….this is really how things should have been since the release of Windows 11 back in October….</em></p><p><br></p><p>Yep. Good that is has been fixed, but waiting this long, however, is disingenuous.</p>

    • hrlngrv

      Premium Member
      29 March, 2022 - 4:22 pm

      <p>MSFT failed to foresee just how unwelcome a change it was. Didn’t Paul or Mary Jo said on Windows Weekly a few months back that MSFT people had said this was <em>intentional</em>? If so, it seems the pesky users managed to raise sufficient stink to undermine MSFT’s intentions, good or otherwise.</p><p><br></p><p>Gettin’ cynical, I suppose with Widgets now where most new Windows 11 users would have expected the Start menu, it’ll suffice for generating lots of monthly distinct users for MSN. Edge no longer needed for that.</p>

  • SvenJ

    29 March, 2022 - 11:24 am

    <p>If you click something in Widgets, does it honor your choice?</p>

    • spacein_vader

      Premium Member
      29 March, 2022 - 12:05 pm

      <p>This. Or if you use the search bar? So is it global or do they still override some things for "user experience" or some such nonsense. </p>

    • lvthunder

      Premium Member
      29 March, 2022 - 12:46 pm

      <p>Since widgets are just a special Edge window I doubt it.</p>

    • ruivo

      30 March, 2022 - 8:18 pm

      <p>I doubt it, Widgets doesn’t even honour the language set on its own configuration!</p>

  • justme

    Premium Member
    30 March, 2022 - 2:18 am

    <p>That would be my question as well…and I highly doubt it. Widgets doing their Edge/Bing thing is part of Chris Cap’s "soup to nuts."</p>

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