How do I make MS Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) my default browser?

I tried to get IE to ask me if it wanted to be the default browser, but it will not. I keep checking the box and shutting the computer down. I am an unfortunate who had mozilla firefox foisted upon them, please help me restore IE as my default browser.

Dave's Answer:

Microsoft's new Internet Explorer 7.0 is definitely a different browser than its predecessors and you're not the only person to get a bit puzzled by what's where and how you can change your configuration and defaults.

Making IE7 the default browser is easy once you know where to look, though. The key is to remember that the configuration options are now located under the "tools" icon and are called "Internet Options":

Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) 7.0: Changing your Internet Options

Choose Internet Options and you'll get a window with a ton of different choices. Click on the tab along the top labeled Programs and look half-way down:

Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) 7.0: Changing your Default Web Browser

As you can see here, IE7 already is my default browser, good little Microsoft Windows citizen that I am, but if it wasn't clicking on Make default would solve the problem immediately, or you could just click on "Tell me if Internet Explorer is not the default web browser", click "OK", then quit and restart your browser.

In any case, I think this will solve your problem!

For completeness, if you want to make Firefox as your browser once again and it doesn't automatically ask when you start it up, just go to Tools --> Options then click on "Check Now":

Netscape Firefox: Changing your Default Web Browser

You'll see a new confirmation window. Click "Yes" when it asks if you want to make Firefox your default web browser in Windows.

Done!

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Categorized: Windows PC Help (Article 7248, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: default web browser, firefox, ie7, internet explorer, msie
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Reader Comments To Date: 14

Dempsey said, on March 15, 2007 12:01 AM:

"I am an unfortunate who had mozilla firefox foisted upon them"

Wow, I'd love to hear the story behind that. First time I've read "foisted upon" not referring to IE.

Dear AskDaveTaylor asker, if you don't mind, share that story with us.

Tharindu said, on April 8, 2007 6:40 AM:

Thanks men i appriceiat ur help

Gar-Dog said, on April 29, 2007 3:24 PM:

Who would ever say a non-IE browser was "foisted" on them? I was hoping this site would have info on how to make the OTHER browsers default after IE7 was foisted on me with Windows automatic update.

Vaughn said, on July 3, 2007 5:20 PM:

And what if your instructions don't work? Well, they don't.

liz said, on July 8, 2008 10:15 PM:

i tried both but it still dsnt really work, u know. wen i open my yahoo messenger and click on the "you have a message" icons, it still pops and open in mozilla and even if i had read the new messages in my inbox it still registers in yahoo messenger that i still have new messages when i dnt have anymore. it annoys me wen i see the ym pops up that i have new messages wen i dnt have any. drastic measures? i guess restore might do the trick.

Gloria said, on July 22, 2008 8:25 AM:

I bought a used laptop with firefox - hate it. Your instructions to get IE back do not work because my toolbar does not have the same options as IE's toolbar. I only get that picture/diagram, the third one down on your site. Where do I go from here?

David Glaser said, on August 8, 2008 6:44 AM:

The problem with the advice is that when trapped in Foxfire you do not have "internet options" on your toolbar...just Foxfire "Options". These do not permit a shift back to Internet Explorer.

There has to be another way to fix this

Drew said, on October 1, 2008 6:50 PM:

you can access the Internet Options from the Control panel.

Or simply start IE7 from the Start menu and then access it that way

Firefox doesn't Remove IE7.

Mark V said, on May 11, 2009 11:21 PM:

Try this way if the above doesn't work (for Windows XP):
1. Go to Start->Settings->Control Panel->Add Remove Programs.
2. In the left hand pane, click on "Set Program Access and Defaults".
3. Expand Custom by clicking on the double arrow pointing down on the right hand side.
4. For the option "Choose a default Web browser:" select Internet Explorer.
5. Click OK.
Try again

QueenAleta said, on May 22, 2009 4:01 PM:

Saying thanks for your help.

Jon Lightfoot said, on June 16, 2009 10:24 AM:

I need HELP!!! I am running XP home with IE 7. For some reason there are several websites that I can not log-in to. Facebook is an example. If i enter my password it flashes like I did not do anything. Same with a new site kcpals.com. When I try other systems in my office I can get in no problem.
Any suggestions?

don said, on September 8, 2009 1:40 AM:

I cannot access any of the IE programs from IE from my windows messenger....IE..hotmail. or any other icon from my desktop. I have made google my default browser but that does not show on internet options. Google has been my default browser for a couple of months, AND I have only been having the browser problems a couple of days..I even uninstalled and reinstalled IE 7.. Any ideas?

Aidan said, on April 24, 2010 4:34 AM:

Yep. I know exactly what you mean. I started off determined not to use IE...but I have to say that Firefox has been a complete debacle...continually locking up on me...so back to IE with my tail between my legs :-) Thanks for the instructions Dave.

parineeta said, on May 13, 2010 3:23 AM:

my internet browser instead of internet explorer is showing internet exploiter. may i know how could i get back my browser as internet explorer.is it a virus? i had never used any antivirus, but currently i m using norton 360-all in one pack.....kindly help me to solve this prob.

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How do I make MS Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) my default browser?

Reader Comments To Date: 14

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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