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How to use Google Chrome on windows 11

Published: March 30, 2025 (Updated: Mar 30, 2025)
#Windows 11 #Google Chrome #Microsoft Edge

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The Ultimate Guide: How to Install Google Chrome and Set It as Default on Windows 11

Welcome back to Darren’s Tech Tutorials!

If you’ve just set up a brand new Windows 11 machine or simply realized that the internet isn’t quite the same without your favorite browser, you’re in the right place. Google Chrome remains one of the fastest, most popular, and most feature-rich web browsers available today, especially for users deep in the Google ecosystem.

While Windows 11 comes pre-installed with Microsoft Edge, getting Chrome up and running is a straightforward process—though setting it as the default browser on Windows 11 requires a slightly different approach than you might be used to.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the entire installation process, ensuring you’re browsing smoothly in no time!

Step 1: Downloading Google Chrome on Windows 11

Since you don’t have Chrome installed yet, we’ll use the browser already available on your system—Microsoft Edge.

  1. Open Microsoft Edge: Click the Microsoft Edge icon (the blue/green ‘E’) on your taskbar or search for it in the Start menu.
  2. Navigate to the Official Chrome Download Page: In the address bar, type google.com/chrome and press Enter. Tip: Always download software directly from the official source to ensure security.
  3. Initiate the Download: You will see a prominent button labeled “Download Chrome.” Click this button.
  4. Accept the Terms: A window may pop up asking you to accept the terms of service. Review them, and then click the button to accept and download the installer file. The file is relatively small and should appear in your Downloads folder (or the bottom bar of your Edge browser) as ChromeSetup.exe.

Step 2: Running the Google Chrome Installer

Now that the file is downloaded, the installation process is automated and very quick.

  1. Locate the Installer: Click on the downloaded ChromeSetup.exe file directly from the browser’s download bar, or navigate to your PC’s Downloads folder and double-click the file there.
  2. Grant Permissions: Windows 11 will likely ask, “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?” Click Yes.
  3. Wait for Installation: Google Chrome will now automatically download any necessary remaining files and install itself on your Windows 11 system. You will see a progress bar.
  4. Launch Chrome: Once the installation is complete, Chrome will automatically launch, and a new desktop shortcut will be created.

Congratulations! Google Chrome is now successfully installed. The next (and arguably most important) step is making sure it handles all your web links by default.

Step 3: Setting Chrome as Your Default Browser

Windows 11 changed how default apps are managed, making it a bit more detailed than previous versions. Here is the exact path to make Chrome your primary browser:

  1. Open Windows Settings: Click the Start button (the Windows logo) and select Settings (the gear icon), or press Windows Key + I.
  2. Navigate to Apps: In the left sidebar of the Settings menu, click on Apps.
  3. Select Default Apps: Click the Default Apps option.
  4. Search for Chrome: Use the search bar provided near the top of the Default Apps page and type Chrome. Click on the Google Chrome app result.
  5. Set Defaults: You will see a list of file types and protocols that Google Chrome can handle (e.g., .htm, .html, HTTP, HTTPS). To make Chrome the default for general web browsing:
    • Click on the existing default browser next to the HTTP listing.
    • Select Google Chrome from the list that appears.
    • Repeat this process for HTTPS and .html file types to ensure all web-related links open in Chrome.

You have successfully overridden the Windows 11 default settings! All links clicked in emails, documents, and other applications will now open in Google Chrome.

Step 4: Launching and Customizing Chrome

With Chrome installed and set as your default, you’re ready to browse!

  1. Launch Chrome: You can launch Chrome using the new desktop icon, or by searching for it in the Start menu.
  2. Pin to Taskbar: For easy access, right-click the Chrome icon while it is open on your taskbar and select “Pin to taskbar.”
  3. Sign In: If you have a Google account, sign in immediately. This will sync your bookmarks, passwords, history, and extensions across all your devices, providing the full Chrome experience.

That’s it! You are now running Google Chrome successfully on Windows 11.

Conclusion and Next Steps

We hope this tutorial made installing your new browser seamless! You’ve gone from Edge to Chrome and successfully navigated the sometimes tricky Windows 11 Default Apps settings. Now you can enjoy all the features, speed, and customization that Google Chrome has to offer.

Did you find this guide helpful? If so, please smash that Like button on the video version and Subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more clear, practical Windows 11 guides just like this one! Let me know in the comments below if Chrome is still your go-to browser, or if you prefer Edge or Firefox! Happy browsing!