But there’s one caveat. Any links that you send through your iOS or Android mobile device opens only on Microsoft Edge. And it stays that way no matter what your default browser is. If you thought that happens due to Continue on PC being some sort of an integral feature of Microsoft Edge, then don’t be fooled. In fact, it’s just another one of Microsoft’s pathetic attempts to force Edge down our throats. Not cool! Fortunately, there’s a workaround to bypass this restriction. If you don’t want to deal with two separate browsers — which is just stupid — then let’s see how you can open Continue on PC links in your default web browser instead.
Install EdgeDeflector
EdgeDeflector is an open source utility on GitHub that does a terrific job at intercepting the hard-coded URL protocol directing Continue on PC links to Microsoft Edge. Not only that, but it also diverts the links to your default web browser, be it Chrome, Firefox, or whatever. And all of this happens seamlessly with no delays whatsoever. Start off by downloading the EdgeDeflector executable file from GitHub. It’s just around 50KB in size, but make sure to grab the latest version that’s available. Download EdgeDeflector After downloading, run the file to begin installing EdgeDeflector. During the installation procedure, you should be asked to select a default app to handle URL links. Select EdgeDeflector and then click OK. Click Finish when prompted to complete installation.
Continue on Default Browser
Now you’re all set to go. Just as before, use the Continue on PC option when browsing on your Android or iOS mobile device to share the web page to PC. And voila! You should see it opening up in your default browser on PC immediately.
If You Don’t Get to Select the URL Handler
Rarely, you may not see the option to select EdgeDeflector as the URL handler during installation. However, it’s nothing to worry about. After installing EdgeDeflector, simply go through the following steps to set things up manually. Step 1: Open the Start menu, type apps, and then select Apps & Features. Step 2: Tap Default Apps on the left pane. Afterward, scroll down the right side of the window and click Set Defaults By App. Step 3: On the Set Defaults By App screen, click EdgeDeflector, and then click Manage. Step 4: Click Microsoft Edge next to the URL:microsoft-edge protocol. On the pop-up menu that shows up, select EdgeDeflector. Step 5: Exit the window to save your changes. That’s it. You’ve successfully changed the hard-coded URL protocol to EdgeDeflector. Any links that you send through the Continue on PC option should now open on your default browser.
Bonus Tip: Cortana With EdgeDeflector
If you stopped using Cortana just because she uses Microsoft Edge to open up your web searches, then it’s time to start using her again since EdgeDeflector takes care of that issue as well. Talk about taking down two birds with a single stone! Search Cortana for something and select a web result, and she should launch your query directly in your default browser. Of course, she still brings up results generated via Bing, but the convenience of opening them in Chrome or Firefox simply makes up for that.
Take Control
Thanks to EdgeDeflector, you can now start using Continue on PC the way that you — and not Microsoft — wants. And the whole deal with Cortana only makes using this nifty tool all that much better. However, do keep in mind that future Windows 10 updates may revert the default URL protocol to Microsoft Edge, in which case you need to go through the above procedure again. Also, it won’t hurt to update EdgeDeflector with newer versions once every while. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
