Make Internet Explorer your default browser

Internet Explorer 10
Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7
Internet Explorer 9
Internet Explorer 8

Your Windows 8 or Windows RT PC comes with Internet Explorer 10 already installed. If you're having problems opening Internet Explorer, make sure it's set as your default browser and pin it to your Start screen and taskbar. Watch the video or follow the steps below to make Internet Explorer your default browser.

How do I make Internet Explorer my default browser?

Internet Explorer 10 is already included in Windows 8 and Windows RT. If you make a different browser your default, links will not automatically open in Internet Explorer, and you will only be able to use Internet Explorer for the desktop.

To make Internet Explorer your default browser

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap or click Search (if you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, and move the mouse pointer down , and then click Search).

  2. Enter Default programs, and then tap or click Default Programs.

  3. Tap or click the Set your default programs.

  4. Select Internet Explorer from the list of programs.

  5. Tap or click Set this program as default, and then tap or click OK.

You might need to repin Internet Explorer to the Start screen once you've set it as your default browser.

Where did the Internet Explorer tile go?

If you can't find the Internet Explorer tile on your Start screen, it may have accidentally become unpinned.

To pin Internet Explorer to the Start screen

  1. On the Start screen, swipe in from the right edge of the screen (if you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen and move the mouse pointer down), and then tap or click Search.

  2. Enter Internet Explorer, and then tap or click Apps.

  3. In the search results, swipe down (or right-click) on the Internet Explorer icon.

  4. In the Internet Explorer app commands, tap or click Pin to Start.

How do I pin Internet Explorer to my taskbar in the desktop?

To pin Internet Explorer to the taskbar

  1. On the Start screen, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, and then click Search.)

  2. Enter Internet Explorer, and then tap or click Apps.

  3. In the search results, swipe down on the Internet Explorer icon, and then tap Pin to taskbar.

    (If you're using a mouse, right-click Internet Explorer, and then click Pin to taskbar.)

Why does Internet Explorer only open in the desktop?

If you tap or click the Internet Explorer tile and Internet Explorer opens in the desktop, then Internet Explorer isn't set as the default browser. You can set Internet Explorer as your default browser so it won't open in the desktop by default.

To make Internet Explorer your default browser

  1. Open Internet Explorer.

  2. Click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.

  3. Click the Programs tab, and then click Make default.

  4. Click OK, and then close Internet Explorer.

To pin Internet Explorer to your taskbar

  1. Open Internet Explorer. Tap or click Start, search for Internet Explorer, and tap or click the Internet Explorer icon.

  2. Right-click the Internet Explorer icon in the taskbar, and then choose Pin this program to taskbar from the jump list.

To make Internet Explorer your default browser

  1. Open Internet Explorer.

  2. Click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.

  3. Click the Programs tab, and then click Make default.

  4. Click OK, and then close Internet Explorer.

To make Internet Explorer your default browser

  1. Open Internet Explorer.

  2. Click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.

  3. Click the Programs tab, and then click Make default.

  4. Click OK, and then close Internet Explorer.