[visual-studio] How to change the default browser to debug with in Visual Studio 2008?

When you hit F5, the browser windows pops up, how do you set which browser the debugger users in Visual Studio 2008?

Update 1
I have looked for the 'Browse with' option and not found it.
Visual Studio opens the default browser instead of Internet Explorer

Update 2
If you are already debugging you dont have the 'Browse with' option.

  • Stop debugging and then its there!

Update 3
The accepted answer below is also relevant to changing the default browser to debug with in Visual Studio 2010.

This question is related to visual-studio visual-studio-2008 debugging browser

The answer is


An easier way to do this is simply by selecting the arrow next to the Start Debugging:

the Start Debugging

Then in the Drop Down goto Web Browser and select the browser you would like to debug the site with, you can also select Browse with... to set the default as explained in other answers.


To permanently make Visual Studio open a project in IE without changing the default browser you can do the following:

Project Properties -> Web -> Start Action

Start external program: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe Command line arguments: Enter the url of the path to your start page ie http:\localhost\myproject\default.aspx

This won't allow you to debug client side script in Visual Studio though.


ie ---> Tools ----> Internet options -----> Programe ------> Make Defualt


In VS 2010 just make the browser as your default broswer in which you want to run your application and there is no need to set anything in visual studio. I did it for google chrome and its working for me. I just made google chrome as my default browser and its working fine. I am almost sure that this should work in VS 2008 also.


First click show all files. Then in the bin folder choose any xml file and then right click and by selecting 'browse with' select your desired browser.


If you use ASP-NET MVC, you need to right-click on Default.ASPX which will have a Browse With menu.


To permanently make Visual Studio open a project in IE without changing the default browser you can do the following:

Project Properties -> Web -> Start Action

Start external program: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe Command line arguments: Enter the url of the path to your start page ie http:\localhost\myproject\default.aspx

This won't allow you to debug client side script in Visual Studio though.


If you use MVC, you don't have this menu (no "Browse With..." menu)

Create first a normal ASP.NET web site.


First click show all files. Then in the bin folder choose any xml file and then right click and by selecting 'browse with' select your desired browser.


If you use MVC, you don't have this menu (no "Browse With..." menu)

Create first a normal ASP.NET web site.


If you are using MVC 2 you do not need to create another project, just add component -> webform to the project then:

* Right click the webform  
* Select Browse With...  
* Choose your browser  
* Click Set as Default  
* Delete the webform

If you use MVC, you don't have this menu (no "Browse With..." menu)

Create first a normal ASP.NET web site.


I find that the Browse With.. menu item only appears in Visual Studio 2010 when I Run as administrator. And in that case it is available even while in debug mode.


If you use ASP-NET MVC, you need to right-click on Default.ASPX which will have a Browse With menu.


ASP.NET projects:

  • Right click a webpage (.aspx, or on a folder)
  • Select Browse With...
  • Choose your browser
  • Click Set as Default
  • Click Browse

ASP.NET MVC 1 projects:

Right click Default.aspx, then follow steps above.

ASP.NET MVC 2 projects:

As there is no Default.aspx, you need to create a Web Form (right-click project > Add > New Item) and follow the steps above.


In VS 2010 just make the browser as your default broswer in which you want to run your application and there is no need to set anything in visual studio. I did it for google chrome and its working for me. I just made google chrome as my default browser and its working fine. I am almost sure that this should work in VS 2008 also.


ASP.NET projects:

  • Right click a webpage (.aspx, or on a folder)
  • Select Browse With...
  • Choose your browser
  • Click Set as Default
  • Click Browse

ASP.NET MVC 1 projects:

Right click Default.aspx, then follow steps above.

ASP.NET MVC 2 projects:

As there is no Default.aspx, you need to create a Web Form (right-click project > Add > New Item) and follow the steps above.


I find that the Browse With.. menu item only appears in Visual Studio 2010 when I Run as administrator. And in that case it is available even while in debug mode.


If you use MVC, you don't have this menu (no "Browse With..." menu)

Create first a normal ASP.NET web site.


An easier way to do this is simply by selecting the arrow next to the Start Debugging:

the Start Debugging

Then in the Drop Down goto Web Browser and select the browser you would like to debug the site with, you can also select Browse with... to set the default as explained in other answers.


ie ---> Tools ----> Internet options -----> Programe ------> Make Defualt


If you are using MVC 2 you do not need to create another project, just add component -> webform to the project then:

* Right click the webform  
* Select Browse With...  
* Choose your browser  
* Click Set as Default  
* Delete the webform

I have passed this problem in VS2012. When I can't find "Browse with.." on the right-click of the project, I found it on File Menu -> Browse with. If it doesn't appear, first you have to click on menu bar, then try open file menu again. If it still doesn't appear, you can just go to Quick Launch on the top right of menu bar then type it "Browse with".


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