Setting in Local Group Policy for all users:
This procedure has worked for me so far for many months.
Use the Group Policy Editor to disable use of the default associations file:
1. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32
2. Execute: gpedit.msc (Local Group Policy Editor)
3. Navigate to:
Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Windows Components / File Explorer
4. Disable the setting: "Set a default associations configuration file"
5. Click the Apply button
6. Click the OK button
7. Restart the PC (Not Shutdown and power on, select the Shutdown / Restart option).
If your PC does not have gpedit.msc, you can follow these instructions:
1. Execute regedit.exe
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
3. Delete the string value named: DefaultAssociationsConfiguration
4. Restart the PC (Not Shutdown and power on, select the Shutdown / Restart option).
Settings Crashing?
Ran into seemingly the same issue on my computer. When I'd select either Chrome or Firefox from the drop-down list in settings it would close the window for me. Figured out looking in the Event Viewer that SystemSettings.exe was crashing when I was trying to change the default. Found this solution for me after some googling. Hope it helps!
Found a solution,
* Goto Settings\Apps & features then search for the app causing an issue ie edge and then click on Advanced Options
* Select Reset and then after the reset has completed you can then successfully change the default browser again. This also works if you have issues changing the default apps for Video Player, Photo Viewer etc ie after doing a repair on the default Video Player or Photo Viewer you can then change the default app for these also
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-other_settings/settings-app-crashes-when-trying-to-change-web/bac7e5f1-d793-45b8-b31f-283801ded057