It always surprises me how many people remain confused about the difference between web browsers and search engines.
Let’s start with the basics, and then we’ll proceed to my current peeve: the fact that clicking a link in an email in Microsoft Outlook (I’m using the Classic App) opens in the Microsoft Edge browser, even if another browser is set as the system’s default.
A web browser is a software application used to access and view websites on the Internet. It retrieves content (like text, images, and videos) from web servers and displays it on your device. The most widely used web browsers as of 2025 are as follows:
#1: Google Chrome
#2: Mozilla Firefox
#3: Microsoft Edge
#4: Apple Safari
#5: Opera
#6: Brave
#7: Vivaldi
By comparison, a search engine is an online service that helps users find information on the Internet by entering keywords or questions. It searches through an index of web pages and returns relevant results based on the query. The most common search engines at the time of this writing are as follows:
#1: Google
#2: Bing (by Microsoft)
#3: Yahoo (now powered by Bing)
#4: DuckDuckGo (focuses on privacy)
#5: Ecosia (eco-friendly, uses Bing in the backend)
#6: Startpage (privacy-focused, uses Google results)
#7: Yandex (popular in Russia)
#8: Baidu (popular in China)
A helpful analogy for beginners is to think of the web browser as a car that drives you around the Internet. Meanwhile, we can think of the search engine as the GPS or map system we can use to find places (websites or answers) while driving.
Now, this is where things get interesting. When you get a new computer, its operating system will be set to use a specific browser by default. For example, Microsoft Edge is preinstalled and set as the default browser on new Microsoft Windows installations and devices. However, you can change this default to be the browser of your choice. The method you use to do this depends on your operating system (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux), but you can always ask ChatGPT for assistance if needed.
NOTE! Sometimes, following a major Windows update, the system may reset the default back to Microsoft Edge. This has caused much gnashing of teeth and rending of garb, let me tell you!
Furthermore, each web browser uses a specific search engine by default. This means that when you type a query into the address bar, the browser will use its default search engine to find results. Fortunately, you can set your web browser to use the search engine of your preference as the default. Once again, the method you use to do this depends on the browser, but you can always ask ChatGPT for assistance if necessary. As an FYI, the default engines associated with the various browsers are as follows:
Browser = Google Chrome | Search engine = Google
Browser = Mozilla Firefox | Search engine = Google (in most regions)
Browser = Microsoft Edge | Search engine = Bing
Browser = Apple Safari | Search engine = Google (in most regions)
Browser = Opera | Search engine = Google
Browser = Brave | Search engine = Brave Search (or Google)
Browser = Vivaldi | Search engine = Bing or Google
Everyone has their favorites. I prefer to use the Firefox browser with the Google search engine. Some time ago, I installed Norton antivirus software, and I foolishly said “Yes” when it asked if I’d like to set it as my browser's home page. I don’t know what search engine it used (I’ve tried to block it from my mind), but it never returned any results I wanted, just adverts for things in which I had no interest. This left such a bad taste in my mouth that I uninstalled everything related to Norton from my machine, and I’ve been a much happier man since.
And so, finally, we come to the point of this post (yes, of course there’s a point; how could you ever doubt me?). Even though I had set Firefox as my default browser with Google as its default search engine, whenever I clicked a link in an email in Outlook, it launched in the Microsoft Edge browser. Rats!
I checked and set every option I was aware of, but to no avail. This would have reduced me to a gibbering fool, but that ship sailed long ago. Eventually, I took my own advice and asked ChatGPT.
O-M-G! It turns out that this isn’t one of the operating system’s settings at all. Outlook has its own way of forcing links to open in different browsers. Who would have thunk? To change this behavior, go to Outlook's menu settings as follows:
File > Options > Advanced > Open hyperlinks from Outlook in:
At this point, you’ll see two options: “Microsoft Edge” (the default) or “Default browser” (i.e., whatever is set as the system-wide default). I selected the latter; all is now right in my browsing world, and the radiance of my smile once again falls on anyone I see.
I’m poised to perform my “Happy Dance,” so you should avert your gaze because it’s not a pretty sight. Before I do so, however, I would be interested in hearing if this nugget of knowledge is of interest to you. I’d also like to know if you have any similar tips and tricks you’d care to share with the rest of us.
I only wish you had posted this a few weeks earlier. I had the problem where outlook insisted on opening links in Edge, and I finally did discover the solution you mention in your article above- but it took me many hours to find it.
BTW- something you might find interesting is that I had another problem where Outlook stopped picking up Gmail on my desktop and laptop PC. It was giving the same error: “Could not contact server” on both computers. Both started acting up on the same day, but it was a different Gmail account that was in trouble on each one. I confirmed that all settings were correct. Once I had exhausted ALL other options, I decided I would have to call Microsoft support. I dreaded the encounter. I put it off for several days. I finally clenched my teeth and called them. I was forced to leave a message. I was dreading the battle that I knew was coming. Instead, I got a shocking surprise. I got a call from a support agent in under 5 minutes. the agent spoke clear English, had a great attitude, and was VERY knowledgeable. After a couple minutes he determined the problem was a corrupt profile. I was concerned that I would mess something up if I had to create a new profile myself, and when I told him that, his response was “No problem-let me do that for you!”. He opened simultaneous remote desktop sessions on both my laptop and desktop computers. I watched in amazement as he literally flew through all the settings, and in about 10 minutes all was good again!
That experience completely changed my opinion of Microsoft customer support!
-Rick
Hi Rick — I’m sorry I was so tardy in posting this — the fact that Outlook opened links in the Edge browser has been niggling me for ages — I left it longer than I should to root around and find out what was going on. Also, I’m glad to hear you had a good experience with Microsoft Support, but what about all the people who don’t even know that’s an option (sad face).