Why Do My C# Links Open in Internet Explorer Instead of My Default Browser?

Solving the C# Link Opening Conundrum: Internet Explorer vs. Your Default Browser

A frequent challenge in C# application development involves web browser components: links unexpectedly open in Internet Explorer (IE), even when a different browser (like Chrome) is set as the default. This problem, particularly when a previously functioning application suddenly defaults to IE, can be frustrating.

Understanding the Root Cause: The WebBrowser Control

The issue stems from the WebBrowser control in C#. This control is essentially an embedded instance of IE. Consequently, links clicked within it will inherently open in IE.

Solution 1: Launching External Links with the Default Browser

For opening external URLs in the user's preferred browser, a straightforward approach is:

<code class="language-csharp">System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("http://google.com");</code>

This code directly invokes the default browser to open the provided URL.

Solution 2: Intercepting WebBrowser Navigation Events

If you must manage links within the WebBrowser control itself, utilize its Navigating event. This allows redirection to the default browser:

<code class="language-csharp">private void WebBrowser_Navigating(object sender, NavigatingCancelEventArgs e)
{
    // Open the link using the default browser
    System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(e.Url);

    // Prevent the WebBrowser control from handling the navigation
    e.Cancel = true;
}</code>

Compatibility Note: .NET Framework, .NET Core, and net50

The above solutions are reliable for the .NET Framework. However, they are incompatible with .NET Core or net50 projects. For these newer frameworks, consider using alternative libraries such as CefSharp.

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