Can't change my default browser.

[Salem Graves]

I encountered an issue where Edge decided to uninstall itself so I figured it was about time to switch browsers. I installed Firefox and it asked me to set it as default browser, when I clicked yes, it opened the default apps window where Edge was set as my default browser, when I click that to change to Firefox, Firefox is not showing as an option in the default apps, any idea what's going on?

[Salem Graves]

I also clicked "Set default by app" and Firefox is nowhere to be seen in this list either.

[Morkonan]

First, uninstall Firefox.

Then, do a manual Windows Update.

Windows should seek to reinstall Edge every time it tries to do a Windows Update.

If Edge reinstalls, then let it finish.

Reboot.

Reinstall Firefox and choose it as a default browser.

Otherwise: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/edge-has-uninstalled-itself-and-theres-no-way-to/20d56d27-1ec0-4e14-ac47-644b43ddbf7f

[Salem Graves]

Първоначално публикувано от Morkonan:

First, uninstall Firefox.

Then, do a manual Windows Update.

Windows should seek to reinstall Edge every time it tries to do a Windows Update.

If Edge reinstalls, then let it finish.

Reboot.

Reinstall Firefox and choose it as a default browser.

Otherwise: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/edge-has-uninstalled-itself-and-theres-no-way-to/20d56d27-1ec0-4e14-ac47-644b43ddbf7f

Whatever happened seemed to confuse my pc pretty hard. When I scanned for a windows update, it returned me an error after trying to install. So I used firefox to download microsoft edge, then uninstalled firefox. After installing Edge again and reinstalling firefox, I was able to make firefox my default browser and install the windows update. I suspect the issue came from me having edge installed on my external drive rather than it's preferred program files. But I dunno. Also ADWCleaner quarantined a few things, not sure if that had anything to do with anything, but after all this, things appear to be working as intended.

[Morkonan]

Първоначално публикувано от Unremarkable Viqui:

...I suspect the issue came from me having edge installed on my external drive rather than it's preferred program files.

Edge is part of the Windows 10+ OS by Micro$oft Decree. You can disable it, but you can not uninstall it permanently. (There could be some tricks, but the point being is the OS is hangry for it..)

Yeah, it probably tried to install two Edges. :)

But I dunno. Also ADWCleaner quarantined a few things, not sure if that had anything to do with anything, but after all this, things appear to be working as intended.

When stuff is flagged, but the machine is working well, that just means the malware is working smoothly... ::)

ADW is anti-adware and I'm surprised it is still around. I would take a closer look at what it tagged. When a browser does weird stuffs, it's time to look deeper.

Do an offline, Safe Mode, virus scan. A Full one. Let it run overnight if you have to. You can also do one using a USB and there should be instructions from Microsoft how to do that to isolate definition files/etc.