How to Make All Browser Links Open in Microsoft Edge (Including Gmail)

If Microsoft Edge is set as your default browser but links from Gmail keep opening in Google Chrome, you’re not alone. This is a common Windows 10 and Windows 11 issue caused by how browsers register themselves for web link handling.

This short tutorial explains why it happens and how to fix it properly, so all links open in Edge again.

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Why Gmail Links Open in the Wrong Browser

The key thing to understand is this:

Gmail does not control which browser opens links.

Here’s what actually happens:

• You click a link in Gmail (inside a web browser)
• The browser hands the link to Windows
• Windows opens the link using whatever app is registered for:
  • HTTP
  • HTTPS

If Chrome has quietly re-registered itself for those link types, Gmail links will open in Chrome even if Edge looks like your default browser.

Why Thunderbird behaves differently:

• Thunderbird does not register web handlers
• It simply asks Windows to open the link
• Windows then launches the true default browser (Edge)

That’s why:

• Gmail in Chrome → opens Chrome
• Gmail in Thunderbird → opens Edge

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The Fix: Reset Web Link Defaults to Edge

This fix is slightly tedious, but it works.

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Step-by-Step: Force Gmail Links to Open in Edge

Step 1: Open Default App Settings

1. Click Start
2. Open Settings
3. Go to Apps
4. Select Default apps

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Step 2: Remove Chrome as the Link Handler

1. Scroll down and click Google Chrome
2. You’ll see a long list of file and link types
3. Look specifically for:
   • HTTP
   • HTTPS
4. Click each one and change it to Microsoft Edge

Chrome often claims these silently, which is why the issue appears suddenly.

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Step 3: Confirm Edge Is Fully Default

1. Go back to Default apps
2. Click Microsoft Edge
3. Click Set default (Windows 11)
   or manually verify:
   • HTTP → Edge
   • HTTPS → Edge
4. Leave any file types you intentionally want in Chrome

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Why This Keeps Happening

All major browsers are aggressive about reclaiming default status. This can happen when:

• Chrome updates
• You dismiss a browser prompt too quickly
• You install browser extensions
• You open a link from another app that nudges defaults

Unfortunately, Windows no longer has a single “set default browser” switch that truly locks this down.

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Quick Checklist

If links still open in Chrome:

• Recheck HTTP and HTTPS
• Restart your browser
• Restart Windows (sometimes required)
• Make sure Chrome isn’t running when changing defaults

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Summary

• Gmail doesn’t choose the browser
• Windows decides based on HTTP/HTTPS defaults
• Chrome likely re-registered itself
• Manually resetting link types fixes the issue
• Thunderbird works because it respects Windows defaults

Once HTTP and HTTPS are set back to Edge, all Gmail links will open in Microsoft Edge again, without needing Thunderbird.