How to Make Internet Explorer Your Default Internet Browser

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to change your default Windows browser to Internet Explorer. Since Internet Explorer is a Windows-exclusive program, you can't use Internet Explorer on a Mac.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Windows 10

1
Open the Start menu. To do so, either click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press the ⊞ Win key.
2
Click the settings
gear. This icon is in the lower-left corner of the screen. Doing so will open the Settings window.

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3
Click System. It's in the top-right side of the Settings home page.
- If Settings opens to a subfolder, first click the Back button in the top-left corner of the window.
4
Click Default apps. It's a tab on the left side of the window.
5
Scroll down and click the option beneath the "Web browser" heading. This will likely be Microsoft Edge, which resembles a white "e" on a dark-blue background.
6
Click Internet Explorer. It's the light-blue "e" icon. Doing so will set Internet Explorer as your computer's default browser.
- If prompted, click Switch anyway to confirm your decision.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Windows 7 and 8

1
Open Internet Explorer. This app resembles a blue "e" with a gold band around it.
2
Click ⚙️. It's in the upper-right corner of the Internet Explorer window.
3
Click Internet options. This option is near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
4
Click the Programs tab. It's at the top of the Internet Options window.
5
Click Make default. It's near the top of the Internet Options window, beneath the "Default web browser" heading.
- If this button is greyed out, Internet Explorer is already your default browser.
6
Click OK. This button is at the bottom of the Internet Options window. Internet Explorer is now your default browser.
- You may have to close and re-open Internet Explorer before these changes take full effect.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I do this in Windows 10?

Community Answer

Go to Settings. Click the Laptop Icon labeled "System." On the left, there is a tab labeled "Default Apps." At the bottom there is a subtitle named "Web Browser." Click the current browser icon that is shown and set it to Internet Explorer.
Question

What browser is the most like Internet Explorer?

77Ecrivan

Community Answer

Microsoft has a new browser to replace Internet Explorer called Microsoft Edge. Other similar browsers include Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera.
Question

How do I find Internet Explorer in Windows 10?

Community Answer

Click on the Windows button. Then click "ALL APPS" and under the folder labeled "Windows Accessories" Internet Explorer should be found.

Warnings

Using Internet Explorer carries a degree of risk since it isn't as secure as other up-to-date browsers like Edge and Chrome.

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Microsoft has ceased support for Internet Explorer, meaning that Microsoft Edge will likely be the only Microsoft-sponsored browser choice in the future.

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