Different corporations make browsers for the Windows OS with unique characteristics. Some are good for browsing, some for watching videos, and some work well on low configure. For this, netizens like myself use different browsers for different purposes.
Furthermore, some websites work better on a particular browser. But it’s annoying to open that browser and type the address to access a specific website each time.
You are in the same boat, I presume.
Worry not; the solution is easier than it seems. After researching and testing different methods, I’ve found the one-click trick to open the website with a specific browser. I’ve covered methods for popular browsers like chrome, edge, and internet explorer.
So hop on and read this article to force the URL to open in a specific browser.
Follow our guide on how to Unblock Websites on Windows 11
How to Force URL to Open in a Specific Browser
Windows shortcut function lets you create a URL shortcut that resides on the desktop. You can open a particular URL in a specific browser by creating a shortcut. Every time you double-click that shortcut, your website will open in the specific browser of your choosing.
Here are the methods to open a specific website with an explicit browser:
Force an URL to Open in Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is a low RAM browser that is better for internet surfing. So people use Internet Explorer for browsing websites, reading forums, or articles. Here I will show how to open Forbes in Internet Explorer.
Here are the ways to force an URL to open in Internet Explorer (Creating Shortcut):
The menu opened with the Right mouse click on the desktop screen is called the Quick menu. It’s the menu that every Windows user applies for refreshing the PC.
You may also like to read: LockDown Browser for Windows 11
Here are the steps to open a specific website using the Quick menu in Internet Explorer:
- Right-click anywhere to open the Quick menu.
- Select New > Shortcut.
- Type “the location of the web browser” URL link”.
{eg:“C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer” https://www.forbes.com”} 
- Click Next.
- Type a name & Select Finish.
Now every time you double-click the shortcut icon, the site will open in Internet Explorer.
Check out the easiest way to Fix cFosSpeed Driver Preventing Windows 11 Installation
2. Properties Editing Method
In this method, you need to edit some settings in the properties menu to create a shortcut. And the shortcut will open the specific URL in one particular browser as you click the icon.
Here are the steps to open a specific website using Properties Editing in Internet Explorer:
- Go to Internet Explorer install dictionary.
{eg: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer}
- Right-click iexplore.exe.
- Select Send to > Desktop(create shortcut).
- Right-click the shortcut > click Properties.
- Type the URL of the link after the information ends in the Target section.
{Eg:“C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe” https://www.youtube.com}
- Press Apply > OK.
You should change the name to differentiate the shortcut from the other icons. And every time you click the shortcut icon, the site will open in Internet Explorer.
However, all support for Internet Explorer 11 ended on June 15, 2022. So Internet Explorer is officially dead, and now most sites won’t work on it. The shortcut you have created won’t work if the site isn’t compatible with Internet Explorer.
Also read, disadvantages of not Activating Windows 10.
Force URL to Open in Chrome
Chrome is best for video streaming. It reduces buffering. But it has one major drawback, high RAM usage. The methods below will show how you can create a shortcut to open a specific URL in Chrome.
Here are the methods to open a specific URL in Chrome:
The quick menu method creates a chrome shortcut using the menu opened by right-clicking the mouse. That shortcut will open the selected URL in chrome.
Here are the steps to open a specific website using the Quick menu in Google Chrome:
- Right-click on the Desktop to open the Quick menu.
- Click New > Shortcut.
- Type “the location of the web browser” URL link”.
{eg:“C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application” https:\www.youtube.com”}
- Select Next.
- Enter a name to specify.
- Tap Finish.
Executing the steps will create a shortcut icon in the desktop menu. As you open the shortcut, the designated site will open in chrome.
Here’s a complete guide on how to create RDP shortcut icon on Windows 10.
2. Properties Editing Method for Chrome
The properties menu will edit the shortcut and force Chrome to open your chosen website. This works the same as the previous method.
Here are the steps to open a specific website using Properties Editing in Internet Explorer:
- Go to the Google Chrome installation folder.
{eg: C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application}
- Right-click chrome.exe.
- Choose Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
- Right-click the shortcut icon > Select Properties.
- Enter the URL of the link after the information ends in the Target section.
{Eg:“”C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe” https://www.youtube.com}
- Select Apply, then OK.
You must change the name to specify because the created shortcut and Chrome have the same icon. After creation, the shortcut will open your designated site on Chrome every time you click it.
Other browsers like Edge, Opera, Breve, and Tor use similar steps to open a specific website. You just need to find their installed directory, and all the steps will be the same as above.
Also, check out our separate post to uninstall IE11 Windows 10.
How to Open any Website with a Specific Browser
You must select the Browser as a default application to open all your websites (URLs) in that specific browser. In this section, I will show you the quickest method to make a browser as default.
Here are the steps to open all Websites with a specific browser:
- Click the Windows icon and go to Settings.
- Press Apps > Default Apps.
- Scroll down to the Web Browser.
- Click the + icon (or any other icon with the application name that appears under Web Browser).
- Select your Browser of choice from the list.
Also, you can change the set default by apps to give your browser all the Web-related Control. That will force your PC to execute all the web-related activities through your selected browser.
Here are the steps to change the set default by apps settings:
- Click set to default by apps in the Default Apps settings.
- Click on the Browser of your choosing from the list.
- Select Manage.
- Choose the browser for all the options in the list.
Now your PC will use your browser for all the Online activities.
Check our exclusive tutorial to turn on or off device Encryption on Windows 11.
Conclusion
In short, you can open a specific website with the browser of your choice by creating a shortcut. Shortcuts can be created using two easy methods: Properties Editing and Quick menu. These two methods work the same with any kind of browser, and the processes are also similar.
After reading this article, I’m sure you can now force an URL to open in a specific browser without any trouble.
Which one of the methods seems the easiest? Comment below.
