How to Prevent Microsoft Edge from Automatically Opening Instead of Internet Explorer

How to Stop Microsoft Edge from Opening Instead of Internet Explorer

Microsoft Edge has been gaining popularity as the default web browser on Windows 10, offering a sleek and modern interface compared to the older Internet Explorer. However, some users may still prefer to use Internet Explorer for specific websites or compatibility reasons. If you find that Microsoft Edge is opening instead of Internet Explorer when you click on a link or enter a website URL, here are some steps you can follow to resolve this issue.

1. Set Internet Explorer as the Default Browser

The first step is to ensure that Internet Explorer is set as the default browser on your computer. To do this, follow these instructions:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
4. In the “Advanced settings” section, scroll down and click on “Make default.”
5. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click “Yes” to confirm the change.

After setting Internet Explorer as the default browser, try opening a website or clicking on a link to see if it opens in Internet Explorer instead of Microsoft Edge.

2. Modify the Target Path

If setting Internet Explorer as the default browser doesn’t work, you can try modifying the target path of the Internet Explorer shortcut. This will ensure that it opens in Internet Explorer instead of Microsoft Edge.

1. Right-click on the Internet Explorer shortcut on your desktop or taskbar and select “Properties.”
2. In the “Shortcut” tab, locate the “Target” field.
3. Delete the entire text in the “Target” field, then type the following path: `C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe`
4. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Close all open windows and try opening a website or clicking on a link again to see if it opens in Internet Explorer.

3. Use Group Policy Editor (for Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education)

If you’re using Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use the Group Policy Editor to set Internet Explorer as the default browser. This method requires administrative privileges.

1. Press “Windows Key + R” to open the Run dialog.
2. Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to “User Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “Internet Explorer.”
4. Double-click on “Set the default web browser.”
5. Select “Enabled” and click “OK.”
6. In the “Valid values” section, select “Internet Explorer.”
7. Click “OK” and close the Group Policy Editor.

Restart your computer and try opening a website or clicking on a link to see if it opens in Internet Explorer.

4. Reset Internet Explorer

If none of the above methods work, you can try resetting Internet Explorer to its default settings. This will not affect your personal data or bookmarks.

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Settings.”
4. Scroll down and click on “Reset settings.”
5. Click “Reset” to confirm the action.

Restart your computer and try opening a website or clicking on a link to see if it opens in Internet Explorer.

By following these steps, you should be able to stop Microsoft Edge from opening instead of Internet Explorer on your Windows 10 computer.