From the course: Help Yourself: Tech Tips Weekly

Selecting the perfect browser

From the course: Help Yourself: Tech Tips Weekly

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Selecting the perfect browser

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- [Instructor] On the Macintosh, it's Safari, Apple's web browser. Here in Windows, it's Edge, Microsoft's web browser. This is Chrome, Google's web browser. Despite the major operating systems having their preferred browsers, this one here is used by over 2/3 of web users. In fact, the joke is that the most common use of Microsoft's Edge browser is to install Google Chrome. But you're not limited to this choice. The key for finding a browser relies upon connectivity. Specifically, connectivity with the organization that provides the browser, such as a user account or cloud services. For the Safari web browser, you use your Apple account. For Edge, your Microsoft account. And for Google Chrome, your Google account. This coordination isn't a requirement. For example, you can still use the Safari browser to access your Google workspace, or use Google Chrome to sign into Microsoft Office online. Other web browsers include Firefox and Opera. There's also a limited browser from Google called Chromium. Many users prefer Chromium for security reasons, though as a minimum browser, it lacks many of the features available in the other browsers. If you use a browser other than your default, you see a prompt to switch. Chrome is the default browser on this system, Ss when I start another browser, I see a prompt asking if I want to make the new browser the default. This setting determines which browser starts when you click on a link in another program, or whenever an application attempts to visit a website. To confirm or change the default in Windows, use the settings app. Press the Windows I keyboard shortcut, choose apps, default apps. You see apps that launch automatically, such as when sending an email or playing music. Choose web browser and you can select a default from this list. You can see that Microsoft recommends Microsoft Edge. When a web browser asks you to change default, this is the setting it makes for you, so come here if you need to change back to your preferred browser. Base your browser decision on which online suite you use the most, Google, Microsoft, or Apple. Or if you opt for a low profile, choose a browser like Firefox or Opera. And the most secure and least obnoxious browser is Chromium. Make the choice that works best for you.

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