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Applies to these editions of Windows Vista:

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Change your default web browser

The information in this Help topic applies to Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 8.

Choose which web browser to use when you go to the Internet.

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To make a web browser other than Internet Explorer the default

  • Do one of the following:

    • If you haven't installed another browser, do that first. During installation, most browsers display a message asking you if you want to use that browser as the default.

    • If the browser that you want to use is already installed, open it. You should see a message asking if you want to use that browser as the default.

To make Internet Explorer the default web browser

  1. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then clicking Internet Explorer.

  2. If a message is displayed asking if you want Internet Explorer to be your default browser, click Yes. That's all you need to do.

    If a message does not appear, go to the next step.

  3. Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.

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

  5. Click OK, and then close Internet Explorer.

    Internet Explorer is now the default web browser.

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