In the January 2026 version, the setting workbench.browser.openLocalhostLinks was added allowing for users to use the integrated browser as the default for opening links.
However, at some point (whether in the same update or later), the default setting that shipped with installations was to use the integrated browser, forcing users to manually adjust their User settings to turn that off.
I think the default should be to not include the integrated browser! Many more users are used to using their browser of choice to view projects like web apps and sites. Expecting them to manually change their settings just because someone decided the integrated browser should be forced onto them isn't right nor practical.
For example, I am part of a Web Development Diploma program, and while I am comfortable enough with VS Code to edit my own settings, not all of my classmates are. As a result, they cannot simply click on the link that shows when running a React or Node server. Why are they being forced to copy-paste the link to their browsers, manually type in the link in their browser, or learn how to edit the VS Code settings when they are just beginner developers?
In the January 2026 version, the setting
workbench.browser.openLocalhostLinkswas added allowing for users to use the integrated browser as the default for opening links.However, at some point (whether in the same update or later), the default setting that shipped with installations was to use the integrated browser, forcing users to manually adjust their User settings to turn that off.
I think the default should be to not include the integrated browser! Many more users are used to using their browser of choice to view projects like web apps and sites. Expecting them to manually change their settings just because someone decided the integrated browser should be forced onto them isn't right nor practical.
For example, I am part of a Web Development Diploma program, and while I am comfortable enough with VS Code to edit my own settings, not all of my classmates are. As a result, they cannot simply click on the link that shows when running a React or Node server. Why are they being forced to copy-paste the link to their browsers, manually type in the link in their browser, or learn how to edit the VS Code settings when they are just beginner developers?