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Opening Email Links in Preferred Browser
A number of users might face difficulties while opening email links in Microsoft Edge, especially if they are used to another browser. This unexpected change initiated by Microsoft leads emails in Outlook to automatically open in Edge, even when it's not set as the default browser. This scenario can be problematic for users who are accustomed to specific features or the interface of other browsers such as Chrome or Firefox.
Difficulty of Opening Links in Microsoft Edge
Although Microsoft Edge is designed to work seamlessly with Outlook and other Microsoft applications, not all users find it easy or intuitive. Users who typically don't use Edge as their everyday browser might find it challenging to navigate through or feel restricted due to the lack of customization they enjoyed in their preferred browser. Additionally, this adjustment forces users to manage their reading and browsing activities in two different browsers, which can be inefficient and frustrating.
Impact on Productivity
The change of the default link-opening behavior in Outlook to Microsoft Edge can potentially have an impact on productivity. Users may face interruptions in their workflow as they are forced to switch between browsers. This is particularly disruptive for those who run applications or extensions on their default browser that aids their productivity. Because these tools might not be available or compatible with Edge, users could experience a significant slowdown in their work pace. Moreover, in a business context, it could have a wider effect on the performance of whole teams who rely on specific browsers for their operations.
Adjustment of Link Management in Outlook
After setting your preferred browser as the default in Windows, you can adjust the link management setting in Outlook to ensure that the links open in your preferred browser. This can be achieved by navigating your way through the File menu and then the Options and Advanced pane.
Navigating to File Menu
The first step in stopping all email links from opening in Microsoft Edge is to open Microsoft Outlook and click on the "File" option, which is located in the top-left corner of the Outlook window. This will reveal a navigation pane where you can access various settings and options related to your Outlook account and customization preferences.
Going to Options and Advanced Pane
Once you're in the File menu, look towards the bottom of the navigation pane to find the "Options" button. Clicking "Options" will open the Outlook Options window where various settings can be adjusted. To change the settings for opening web links, you need to select "Advanced" from the left-hand menu of the Options window.
Finding Link Handling Section and setting Default Browser
Under the "Advanced" tab, you will see several sections. Navigate to the "File and browser preferences" heading. Here, you are likely to find "Open hyperlinks from Outlook in:" with "Microsoft Edge" as the current option. Simply click on the drop-down arrow in this field and select "Default Browser" rather than Microsoft Edge. The final step to save your changes is to click "OK".
Testing Hyperlink Opening
To ensure this change has been successfully implemented, you can do a simple test by opening any email containing hyperlinks. When you click on a hyperlink, it should now open in your preferred default browser, not in Microsoft Edge. If links continue to open in Edge, recheck the settings or consider restarting your computer to ensure new settings are fully applied.
Changing Default Browser Settings in Windows
Before you can adjust how web links are opened in Outlook, make sure you've set your desired browser as the default in your Windows operating system. This ensures that when you click on a link in Outlook, it will open in your preferred browser.
Accessing Apps Settings in Windows
To check or change your default browser, click on the Start menu and select "Settings". Once the Settings window is open, go to the "Apps" section and then navigate to "Default apps".
Selecting Preferred Browser
Under the "Default apps" section, you should see a category for "Web browser". Review the browser currently listed. If the listed browser is your preferred one, no additional changes are required. If Microsoft Edge is listed and you would like to use a different browser, you'll need to select and change it.
Setting it to Default
To change your default web browser, click on the browser displayed (for example, Microsoft Edge), which will bring up a list of all browsers installed on your system. Scroll through the list until you find your preferred browser. Click on it and then choose "Switch anyway" if prompted. This will set your chosen browser as the default for all applicable types of actions, including opening PDFs and mail links in Outlook.
Testing the Action in Outlook
Once these changes have been made, you can test the new settings by opening Outlook and clicking on a hyperlink in an email. The link should now open in your preferred browser instead of Microsoft Edge. If it still opens in Edge, you might need to repeat the processes again and ensure that every setting is correctly applied.
Setting Preferences On Windows Server Devices
For users who are on Windows Server systems, the process to stop all email links from opening in Microsoft Edge involves setting preferences using Group Policy. This section will guide you through the steps needed to access the Group Policy Management Editor, navigate to the specific setting for browser opening, enable the setting for your default browser, and smoothly apply this policy.
Accessing Run box and Opening Group Policy Management Editor
To begin, use the Run box in Windows by pressing Windows key + R. Enter "gpedit.msc" in the Run box and press Enter. This will launch the Group Policy Management Editor, a tool used to manage group policy settings on devices that are part of a domain.
Navigating to Specific Browser Opening Policy
Once the Group Policy Management Editor has been accessed, navigate to the specific policy that guides the default browser settings for opening links. To find this policy, follow this navigation: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Edge. Here, you may find a setting related to specifying the browser behavior for opening hyperlinks.
Enabling Default Browser Setting
Upon arriving at the settings for browser behavior for hyperlinks, you can adjust who influences the default browser setting. If the policy has been set to let Microsoft Edge be the default for link opening, you can change this by enabling the setting for your preferred browser, disabling the old setting that favored Microsoft Edge. Note that these settings may vary based on the system's installed browsers.
Applying the Policy and Closing Group Policy Management Editor
After you have enabled the setting for your preferred browser, apply the changes. To do this, click on the "Apply" button, then the "OK" button. Once the changes have been applied, you can close the Group Policy Management Editor. The changes should take effect immediately. However, in some cases, you may need to restart your device for the changes to be fully applied.
