How to Stop Outlook from Opening Links in Edge Quickly and Easily Today

Why Outlook Opens Links in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Outlook, a popular email client, often defaults to opening web links within Microsoft Edge, even if you have a different browser set as your default. This behavior stems from Microsoft's strategy to promote its own products and services, including its Edge browser.

By default, Outlook is configured to use Microsoft Edge as the primary browser for opening links. This integration allows for seamless interaction between Outlook and Edge, such as sharing content between the two applications. However, it can be frustrating for users who prefer a different browser.

How to Stop Outlook from Opening Links in Edge

To regain control over your browsing experience and prevent Outlook from hijacking your links, you can employ several methods:

Identify Your Default Browser:

Step 1. Windows Settings: Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.

Step 2. Ensure your preferred browser (eg: Google Chrome) is listed or chosen as the default for web browsing.

Modify Outlook Settings:

Step 1. Launch Outlook on your device.

Step 2. Click the File button located in the top left corner.

Step 3. On the Account Information screen, choose Options from the bottom left corner.

Step 4. In the pop-up window, go to the Advanced tab on the left, then scroll down to find Link Handling.

Step 5. From the drop-down menu, select your preferred browser. 

How to Ensure Outlook Open Links in Default Browser Without Errors

If you encounter issues after changing the settings, try these additional steps:

• Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: Corrupted cache and cookies can cause issues with loading or settings in Outlook. Clearing them removes outdated data and fixes slow performance or login issues.
• Repair Outlook: A simple repair can fix minor problems like crashes or missing features. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, select Outlook, and click Repair.
• Update Windows and Outlook: Keeping software up-to-date ensures compatibility, bug fixes, and security patches. Update Windows via Settings > Update & Security, and update Outlook from File > Office Account > Update Options.
• Disable Browser Extensions: Extensions can interfere with Outlook. Disable unnecessary extensions to improve performance and resolve issues. Manage them in your browser’s settings.

 

Disable Outlook from Using Edge for Links

For more granular control, you can disable Edge's integration with Outlook through the Windows Registry:

1. Open Registry Editor: Search for "regedit" and run it as an administrator.
2. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Browser
3. Right-click on the "Browser" key and select Modify.
4. Change the value data to "0" and save the change.

Final Thoughts

By following these guidelines, you should be able to effectively prevent Outlook from opening links in Microsoft Edge and restore control over your browsing experience. If you encounter any persistent issues, don't hesitate to seek further assistance from Microsoft support or a technology expert.

Bonus Tip: How to Manage and Back up Outlook Emails

This article addresses the question “how to stop Outlook from opening links in Edge?”. If you’re considering backing up your Outlook, MultCloud can be extremely useful. Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services.

For instance, you can save your Outlook emails as PDFs to your computer or cloud drives, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, in bulk. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud or Email accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDav, and more.