Windows 10 keeps changing default browser to Explorer at reboot

In Windows 10 (Pro, 1511 build 10586.104), default web browser keeps being reset to Internet Explorer at each reboot (settings > system > default). No matter which other browser is set there, as admin, after reboot default browser is Explorer again.

Is there a way to prevent that?

supafly

Posted 2016-03-15T10:46:23.733

Reputation: 323

Pushing IE11 instead of pushing Edge? That's weird if one assumed its all evil Microsoft's fault – infixed – 2016-03-15T11:01:17.493

2I have the same problem. For me, even logging off and logging back on again resets it back to IE. – Sam – 2016-07-28T04:09:14.873

I have the same issue with 1511 and 1607. I have a suspicion it may be related to synchronizing settings between machines but can't be sure until I turn that off for a while. – Speedbird186 – 2016-12-14T18:18:35.720

Answers

It worked for me:

1.Right click on start > Task manager

2.Click on more details

3.Go to Details tab

4.Find explorer.exe > Right click > Click "End Process" (Do not close Task manager) 5.Go to file > Run new task > type explorer.exe and check create this task with administrative privileges. > OK

6.Go to start > Setting > Apps > Default Apps > Web Browser > Click on Microsoft edge > select your favorite browser.

7.Restart

Rohit Jha

Posted 2016-03-15T10:46:23.733

Reputation: 68

2Unfortunately this didn't work for me :( – Jalal – 2019-01-10T11:22:05.807

Does not work. At reboot, again the default browser is reset to IE. The setting change takes, and is reflected as the default. But upon reboot, its right back to stupid outdated obsolete IE. – Minok – 2019-02-25T18:57:02.290

This was working until beginning of 2019, hence the accepted answer. I'm now running Windows Enterprise 1803 build 17134.590 and it's still working. – supafly – 2019-03-13T14:48:24.880

Turn off Internet Explorer.

Be an Administrator user or Accept administrator prompt for this to work.

Steps:

Search "Turn Windows features on or off" {Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off (Visible on Left)}
Disable "Internet Explorer.." from Tree

Gaurav Jagrawal

Posted 2016-03-15T10:46:23.733

Reputation: 21

Follow these steps to change a default browser back to Firefox or Chrome

Click the menu button and choose Options.
In the General panel, click Make Default….
The Windows Settings app will open with the Choose default apps screen.
Scroll down and click the entry under Web browser. In this case, the icon will say either Microsoft Edge or Choose your default browser.
In the Choose an app screen, click chrome or Firefox to set it as the default browser.
Firefox or Chrome is now listed as your default browser. Close the window to save your changes.

Hope this answer helps

Tirthankar Bose

Posted 2016-03-15T10:46:23.733

Reputation: 11

3If I understood the question, this sounds like what the OP is doing, but the selection is being changed at reboot. – fixer1234 – 2018-03-09T07:52:58.047

Search for defaultassociations.xml, delete it. You'll need admin rights on the machine. Then go to the normal 'set default apps' menu and make your selections. Reset and you should be all set!

user1092813

Posted 2016-03-15T10:46:23.733

Reputation: 1

No such file on the system drive (C:) for Win10. – Inversion – 2019-10-25T20:13:22.983

Click on (3) dots right corner. Go to "Settings". On far left, click on "Search Engines" then "Manage Search Engines", remove unwanted search engine. Choose your search engine on line above. McAfee seems to be my culprit.

Eileen Holzschuh

Posted 2016-03-15T10:46:23.733

Reputation: 1

-2

Try this:

Right click at Start button
Click Control Panel
In the top right, click View by
Click either large or small
Click Default Programs
Click Set your default programs
On the left side, do you see your Cyberfox? If yes, click it
On the right side, click "Set this program as default"
Click OK when done

user679135

Posted 2016-03-15T10:46:23.733

Reputation: 1