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You can change browser settings such as your location, language, privacy, and more on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. All the step-by-step processes in this article will work on any Windows computer, Chromebook, macOS, tablet, iPad, iPhone, and Android phone such as Samsung.
Browser settings make it possible for anyone to adjust and customize their browsing experience on the web. For example, some users want to safeguard their kids from consuming adult content. Others are concerned about internet tracking and privacy security. Others are specific about choosing what program their browser uses to open certain files.
You don’t have to conform to your browser’s default settings; you can easily change your search browser settings and experience the internet in your own way. You can choose how you browse individual websites. For example, you can increase the zoom on any web page or allow permissions for specific websites to know your location.
Change browser settings in Chrome
Step 1
Open Google Chrome and click the menu icon with three bars or dots. The menu icon is typically located at the top-right of your browser window.
Step 2
Select “Settings” from the menu to open a new tab within the Chrome browser that displays primary browser settings. From this page, you can make Chrome your default browser, manage users, search engines, appearance, downloads, and system settings. Other settings you can change include search results per page, language, SafeSearch filters, location, and more.
Step 3
For example, to change your Chrome search engine, navigate to the settings window and click “search engine” on the left side of the window. Click the drop-down control and select a new search engine.
Step 4
To change other settings, select the particular option on the left side of the settings window. This will take you to the extensions page where you can manage your browser extensions or your browsing history for further personalized options.
Step 5
Click “OK” or “Save” where necessary to complete the process.
Change browser settings in Safari
Step 1
Open the Safari browser and click “Preferences” from the menu bar.
Step 2
From here, you have many settings options to choose from, such as “General,” “Tab,” “AutoFill,” “Password,” “Search,” “Security,” “Privacy,” “Websites,” “Extensions,” and “Advanced” for more browser settings option. Select anyone and tweak the settings to your preference.
Step 3
For example, if you select “Privacy” from the pop-up window, you can Prevent cross-site tracking. You can also manually delete your cookies or manage your website data.
If you select the “General” tab from the pop-up window, here are some of the settings you can tweak:
Safari opens with: When you launch Safari, you can choose to open a new window or open all your last sessions or open a new private window.
Homepage: You can enter any URL link in this section to set it as your default homepage.
Favorite shows: Enter any specific folder to set as your favorites.
File download location: Choose the folder destination for all your downloads.
There are more options depending on your choice.
Step 4
Don’t forget to click “Save” or “OK” where necessary to save your changes.
Change browser settings in Mozilla Firefox
Step 1
Open your Firefox browser window, and click the menu icon button with three horizontal lines on the top-right of the toolbar.
Step 2
Select “Settings.” From here, you can tweak your browser preferences, including General, Startup, Tabs, Language and appearance, Files and applications, updates, browsing, performance, Privacy, Security, and more.
Step 3
For example, to change the destination where all your downloaded files are stored, click on “General” on the left row of the settings windows, scroll down to “Files and Applications,” and make sure the “Save files to” radio button is selected. Click the “Browse…” button to choose your preferred folder for all your new downloads.
Step 4
Click “OK” where necessary to save your settings and close the window.
Change browser settings in Microsoft edge
Step 1
Open the Microsoft Edge browser by clicking the Microsoft Edge shortcut in the Start menu or the “e” shortcut on the taskbar.
Step 2
Select the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the Edge window and select Settings.
Step 3
From the menu that appears on the left, You can change settings like your browser home page or search engine, Privacy, clear browsing history and cookies, or sync your browser info across devices. For example, if you select “Privacy,” you can control how your browser manages third-party cookies and tracking requests. If you click “Security,” you can see and set how your Edge browser responds to suspicious programs and web pages.