How To Force Outlook To Open Links In Chrome – Changing Default Browser Settings

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If you are wondering how to force Outlook to open links in Chrome, the simplest answer is to set Chrome as your default browser. This change makes Outlook, along with most other apps, automatically launch links in Chrome instead of Microsoft Edge.

But what if you don’t want to change your default browser? Or what if the setting doesn’t stick? This guide covers every method, from simple settings to advanced tweaks, so you can control exactly where your Outlook links open.

Why Outlook Opens Links In Edge By Default

Outlook is a Microsoft product, and it is designed to work best with Microsoft Edge. On Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft has built-in features that force certain links to open in Edge, even if Chrome is your default browser.

This is especially true for links in Outlook emails that point to Microsoft services like SharePoint, Teams, or OneDrive. But it can also happen with regular web links.

Microsoft calls this “protocol linking” or “app association.” It means that some link types are hard-coded to open in Edge. You can override this, but it takes a few extra steps.

Method 1: Set Chrome As Your Default Browser

This is the most straightforward way to make Outlook open all links in Chrome. When Chrome is your default, Windows sends all web links to Chrome unless a specific app is set to handle them.

How To Set Chrome As Default On Windows 10

  1. Open the Start menu and click the gear icon to open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps, then click Default apps.
  3. Under Web browser, click the current browser (likely Microsoft Edge).
  4. From the list, choose Google Chrome.
  5. Close Settings. Outlook should now open links in Chrome.

How To Set Chrome As Default On Windows 11

  1. Open Settings from the Start menu.
  2. Go to Apps, then Default apps.
  3. Search for Chrome in the list and click it.
  4. You will see a list of file types and link types. Click each one and select Google Chrome.
  5. Pay special attention to .htm, .html, HTTP, and HTTPS entries.
  6. Close Settings and restart Outlook.

This method works for most people. But if you still see links opening in Edge, you need to check the next method.

Method 2: Use The “Choose Default Apps By Link Type” Setting

Windows allows you to set default apps for specific link types. This is more precise than just setting a default browser.

Steps For Windows 10

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
  2. Scroll down and click “Choose default apps by protocol.”
  3. Look for MICROSOFT-EDGE or MS-EDGE in the list.
  4. Click the current app and select Google Chrome.
  5. Also check HTTP and HTTPS entries. Set them to Chrome if they are not already.

Steps For Windows 11

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
  2. Scroll down and click “Choose defaults by link type.”
  3. Find .htm, .html, HTTP, and HTTPS.
  4. Click each one and choose Google Chrome.
  5. Look for any entries related to Edge, like microsoft-edge or ms-edge, and set them to Chrome if possible.

This method gives you finer control. It ensures that even if another app tries to open a link, Windows sends it to Chrome.

Method 3: Use The “EdgeDeflector” Or “MSEdgeRedirect” Tool

Microsoft has a feature that forces certain links to open in Edge, even if you have set Chrome as default. This is common for links in Outlook that come from Microsoft 365 services.

To bypass this, you can use a free third-party tool. The most popular ones are EdgeDeflector and MSEdgeRedirect. These tools intercept the forced Edge links and redirect them to your default browser.

How To Use MSEdgeRedirect

  1. Download MSEdgeRedirect from its official GitHub page.
  2. Run the installer. It will ask for administrator permissions.
  3. During installation, choose the option to redirect all Edge links to your default browser.
  4. Complete the installation and restart Outlook.

This tool works in the background. It does not change any system files. It simply intercepts the link request and sends it to Chrome.

Note: Some antivirus programs may flag these tools as suspicious. They are safe, but you may need to allow them manually.

Method 4: Change The Default Browser For Specific Link Protocols

Outlook uses different protocols for different types of links. The most common are HTTP, HTTPS, and MAILTO. But there are also custom protocols used by Microsoft services.

You can change the default app for each protocol directly in Windows Registry or via Settings. The Settings method is safer.

Steps For Windows 11

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
  2. Search for “Chrome” and click it.
  3. Scroll through the list of file types and protocols.
  4. Look for HTTP, HTTPS, .htm, .html, and any Microsoft-specific protocols like ms-outlook or ms-officeapp.
  5. Click each one and select Google Chrome.
  6. If you see “Choose a default” for any, click it and pick Chrome.

For Windows 10, the process is similar but the list may be shorter. You can also use the “Set defaults by app” option to assign all file types to Chrome at once.

Method 5: Use A Group Policy Or Registry Edit (Advanced Users)

If you are on a managed computer or want a permanent fix, you can use Group Policy or Registry edits. This is for advanced users only.

Registry Edit To Force Chrome For All Links

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\http\UserChoice
  3. Look for the Progid value. It should show ChromeHTML if Chrome is default.
  4. If it shows something else, double-click Progid and change it to ChromeHTML.
  5. Repeat for the https key under UrlAssociations.
  6. Close Registry Editor and restart Outlook.

Warning: Editing the registry can cause problems if done incorrectly. Always back up your registry first.

Group Policy Method

This is only available on Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions. Open gpedit.msc, go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer, and set “Set a default associations configuration file” to enabled. Then provide a file that sets Chrome as default for all link types.

This method is complex and usually used by IT admins. Most home users should stick with the earlier methods.

Method 6: Disable The “Open Links In Microsoft Edge” Setting In Outlook

Outlook itself has a setting that can force links to open in Edge. This setting is part of the Microsoft 365 apps and may be enabled by default.

How To Check And Disable This Setting

  1. Open Outlook and go to File > Options.
  2. Click Advanced in the left pane.
  3. Scroll down to the “Link handling” section.
  4. Look for an option like “Open links in Microsoft Edge” or “Use Microsoft Edge to open links.”
  5. Uncheck this option if it is present.
  6. Click OK and restart Outlook.

Note: This setting may not appear in all versions of Outlook. If you don’t see it, your version may not have this feature.

Method 7: Clear The Default App Cache

Sometimes Windows remembers old default app settings even after you change them. Clearing the cache can force Windows to use your new settings.

Steps To Clear Default App Cache

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
  2. Scroll down and click “Reset” under “Reset all default apps.”
  3. This will reset all defaults to Microsoft’s recommendations. After resetting, set Chrome as default again.
  4. Alternatively, you can use a command prompt to clear the cache. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type: ie4uinit.exe -show
  5. Press Enter and restart your computer.

This method is a bit drastic but can fix stubborn issues where links keep opening in Edge.

Method 8: Use The “Open With” Option In Outlook

If you only want to open a specific link in Chrome, you can use the “Open with” feature in Outlook. This does not change the default behavior, but it works for individual links.

Steps For Individual Links

  1. Right-click the link in the email.
  2. Select “Open hyperlink” or “Open link.”
  3. If Chrome is not the default, you may see a prompt to choose an app. Select Chrome.
  4. If you want Chrome to always open this type of link, check the box that says “Always use this app.”

This is a quick fix but not a permanent solution. You would need to do this for every link.

Why These Methods Might Not Work

Sometimes, even after following all the steps, Outlook still opens links in Edge. Here are common reasons:

  • Your computer is managed by an organization that enforces Edge for security reasons.
  • You have a corrupted user profile. Try creating a new Windows user account.
  • Outlook is using a web add-in that forces Edge. Disable add-ins in Outlook options.
  • Windows updates may reset your default app settings. Check after each major update.
  • Some Microsoft 365 subscriptions have policies that override local settings.

If none of the methods work, you may need to contact your IT department or consider using a different email client.

How To Force Outlook To Open Links In Chrome On Mac

If you use Outlook for Mac, the process is different. Mac does not have the same forced Edge behavior.

Steps For Mac

  1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS).
  2. Go to General > Default web browser.
  3. Select Google Chrome from the dropdown.
  4. Close System Settings. Outlook will now open links in Chrome.

That is all you need to do on Mac. There are no hidden protocols or forced app associations.

How To Force Outlook To Open Links In Chrome On Mobile

On iOS and Android, Outlook uses the default browser set in the system settings.

For Android

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
  2. Tap Browser app and select Chrome.
  3. Outlook will now open links in Chrome.

For IOS

  1. Open Settings and scroll down to Chrome.
  2. Tap Default Browser App and select Chrome.
  3. Outlook will use Chrome for links.

Mobile versions of Outlook do not have the same Edge-forcing behavior as Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does Outlook Keep Opening Links In Edge Even After I Set Chrome As Default?

Microsoft has built-in protocol associations that override your default browser setting for certain link types. You need to change the default app for specific protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, and microsoft-edge. Use the “Choose defaults by link type” method in Settings.

Can I Force Outlook To Open Links In Chrome Without Changing My Default Browser?

Yes, you can use a tool like MSEdgeRedirect to intercept Edge-forced links and redirect them to Chrome. This does not change your default browser setting.

Will These Methods Work For All Versions Of Outlook?

Most methods work for Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365. The exact settings may vary slightly between versions. The registry method works for all versions but is riskier.

What If I Am Using A Work Or School Account In Outlook?

If your organization manages your device, they may enforce policies that prevent you from changing default apps. You may need to contact your IT department to request a change or use a personal device.

Does This Affect Links In Other Microsoft Apps Like Teams Or Word?

Yes, setting Chrome as default or using protocol redirects will affect all Microsoft apps that open links. This includes Teams, OneNote, and Word.

Final Thoughts

Forcing Outlook to open links in Chrome is usually a simple matter of setting Chrome as your default browser. But Microsoft’s Edge-forcing features can complicate things. If the basic method does not work, try the protocol-specific settings or use a redirect tool.

Remember to check for Windows updates that might reset your settings. And if you are on a managed device, you may need to work with your IT team.

With these methods, you should be able to control where your Outlook links open and enjoy a consistent browsing experience in Chrome.