Windows 10 keeps changing default browser to Explorer at reboot

Question

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?

Solution 1

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

Solution 2

Turn off Internet Explorer.

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

Steps:

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

Comments

[infixed]

Pushing IE11 instead of pushing Edge? That's weird if one assumed its all evil Microsoft's fault

[Merger]

I have the same problem. For me, even logging off and logging back on again resets it back to IE.

[Speedbird186]

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.

[fixer1234]

If I understood the question, this sounds like what the OP is doing, but the selection is being changed at reboot.

[Shaun Cockram]

Unfortunately this didn't work for me :(

[Minok]

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 But upon reboot, its right back to stupid outdated obsolete IE.

[evilmandarine]

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.

[Inversion]

No such file on the system drive (C:) for Win10.

[Blue Clouds]

"check create this task with administrative privileges" there is no such option unfortunately in 2020

[evilmandarine]

@BlueClouds yes, there is, but you need to launch the Task Manager with administrative privileges for the checkbox to be there.

[tonyw]

This worked for me in Windows Version 10.0.18363 Build 18363.

[Admin]

Unfortunately did not work on Win 10 19044.1706