How to Continue on PC with Default Browser

Windows 10’s Continue on PC feature is all about convenience. The ability to instantly switch from mobile to PC without messing with bookmarks and the like is pretty neat.

But there is a caveat. Any links you send via your iOS or Android mobile device will only open in Microsoft Edge. And it stays that way no matter what your default browser is.

If you think this is because Resume on PC is kind of an integral feature of Microsoft Edge, don’t be fooled. In fact, this is just one of Microsoft’s pathetic attempts to take Edge down our throats. It’s not nice!

Fortunately, there is a workaround to bypass this restriction. If you don’t want to deal with two separate browsers – which is so stupid – then let’s see how you can open Continue links on PC in your default web browser instead.

Install EdgeDeflector

EdgeDeflector is an open source utility on GitHub that does a terrific job at capturing the hard-coded URL protocol that directs Continue on PC connections to Microsoft Edge. Not only that, it also redirects links to your default web browser, be it Chrome, Firefox or whatever. And all this happens seamlessly with no delays.

Start by downloading the EdgeDeflector executable from GitHub. Its size is around 50 KB, but make sure you get the latest version available.

Download EdgeDeflector

After downloading, run the file to start installing EdgeDeflector.

During the installation procedure, you should be prompted to choose a default application to handle URL links. Select EdgeDeflector and then click OK.

Note:

Note:

Click Finish when prompted to complete the installation.

Continue in Default Browser

You are now ready to go. As before, use the Continue on PC option while browsing on your Android or iOS mobile device to share the web page on PC.

And voila! You should immediately see it open in your default browser on PC.

Note:

If You Can’t Select the URL Handler

In rare cases, you may not see the option to choose EdgeDeflector as the URL handler during installation. However, there is nothing to worry about. After installing EdgeDeflector, simply follow the steps below to adjust settings manually.

Stage 1: Open the start menu, type applicationsand then select Apps & Features.

Step 2: Tap Default Apps in the left pane. Next, scroll down the right side of the window and click Set Defaults by App.

Stage 3: On the Set Defaults by Application screen, click EdgeDeflector, then click Manage.

Step 4: Click on Microsoft Edge next to it. URL: microsoft-edge protocol. Select EdgeDeflector in the drop-down menu that opens.

Step 5: Exit the window to save your changes.

This much. You have successfully changed the hardcoded URL protocol to EdgeDeflector. Any links you send via the Continue on PC option should now open in your default browser.

Note:

Bonus Tip: Cortana with EdgeDeflector

If you’ve stopped using Cortana just because it uses Microsoft Edge to open your web searches, it’s time to start using it again, as EdgeDeflector takes care of that issue as well. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!

Search for something in Cortana and select a web result; it should start your query directly in your default browser. Of course, it still brings results generated via Bing, but the convenience of opening them in Chrome or Firefox makes up for it.

Note:

take control

Thanks to EdgeDeflector, you can now start using Continue on PC the way you want, not Microsoft’s. And the whole deal with Cortana just makes using this nifty tool so much better.

However, keep in mind that future Windows 10 updates may revert the default URL protocol to Microsoft Edge, in which case you will have to follow the above procedure again.

Also, it wouldn’t hurt to update EdgeDeflector with newer versions every time.