Changing your search engine in Microsoft Edge is actually pretty quick. You just need to dive into the browser settings menu. Open up Edge and click the three dots in the top corner to find Settings. Go to the section labeled Privacy, search, and services. Scroll all the way to the bottom to find Address bar and search. From there, you can switch the engine from Bing to Google. It saves automatically, so you can start searching immediately.
Tutorial – How to make Google default search engine on Edge
This section will guide you through the exact menu options you need to click to get rid of Bing. By following these instructions, you will ensure that every time you type a query into the address bar, it goes straight to Google.
Step 1: Open the main menu by clicking the three dots in the top right corner.
You will find this icon located to the right of your profile picture in the browser window. When you click it, a long drop-down menu will appear with many different options. This is where you control most of the browser’s features.
Step 2: Click on the Settings option near the bottom of the list.
Look specifically for a gear icon next to the word Settings. Clicking this will open a new tab in your browser dedicated entirely to configuration options. Do not worry if it looks complicated because we are looking for one specific tab.
Step 3: Select Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar.
On the left side of the screen, there is a navigation menu with several categories. You need to find the one that mentions privacy and search. It is usually the second option down from the top.
Step 4: Scroll down to the bottom and click on Address bar and search.
You will have to scroll past a lot of tracking prevention and security options to find this. It is located at the very bottom of the page, so keep scrolling until you cannot go any further. This is the hidden menu that controls how the top bar behaves.
Step 5: Choose Google from the drop-down menu next to Search engine used in the address bar.
You will see a box that currently says Bing (Recommended). Click that box to reveal a list of other available search engines. Simply click on Google to set it as your new preference.
After you complete this action, the browser saves your choice instantly. You do not need to look for a save button. From this moment on, typing a request into the top URL bar will send your data to Google instead of Bing.
Tips for how to make Google default search engine on Edge
- If you do not see Google in the list, you might need to visit Google.com once. Edge often automatically detects and adds search engines from websites you visit.
- You can also change the setting that controls “Search on new tabs” to use the address bar. This ensures that even the search box in the middle of a new page uses Google.
- Be aware that switching away from Bing might stop you from earning Microsoft Rewards points for searches. If you collect those points, you might want to keep using Bing occasionally.
- You can manage other search engines in the same menu. This allows you to remove options you never use, like Yahoo or DuckDuckGo, to keep your list clean.
- If you log into Edge with a Microsoft account, this setting can sync to your other computers. This means you only have to do this process once.
Why does Edge keep switching back to Bing?
Sometimes a Windows update or a browser reset will revert your settings to the factory defaults. Extensions can also interfere with your search settings. You should check your installed extensions if this keeps happening.
Can I use a different search engine besides Google?
Yes, you can choose any engine you like. The list usually includes DuckDuckGo and Yahoo by default. You can also manually add others like Ecosia or Wikipedia.
How do I delete Bing from the list entirely?
Go to the “Manage search engines” menu inside the Address bar settings. Click the three dots next to Bing and select Delete. This prevents the browser from ever accidentally using it.
Does this change the search bar on the New Tab page?
Not automatically. The search box in the middle of the New Tab page is hard-coded to Bing. However, you can change a setting to make that box redirect to the address bar, which will then use Google.
Is Google faster than Bing on Edge?
The speed is generally the same because the browser itself processes the request. The difference lies in the quality of the search results. Most users find Google provides more relevant answers for their specific needs.
Summary
- Step 1 Open the main menu by clicking the three dots in the top right corner.
- Step 2 Click on the Settings option near the bottom of the list.
- Step 3 Select Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar.
- Step 4 Scroll down to the bottom and click on Address bar and search.
- Step 5 Choose Google from the drop-down menu next to Search engine used in the address bar.
Conclusion
Taking control of your web browser is an important part of your daily digital life. We spend hours every day searching for information, shopping for products, or just looking for entertainment. It makes sense that you should be able to use the tool that works best for you. While Microsoft Edge is a fantastic browser built on the same technology as Chrome, its default preference for Bing does not suit everyone. Some people prefer the layout of Google, while others rely on its specific algorithm to find work-related answers.
Thankfully, modern technology is flexible. Microsoft allows users to customize their experience without much trouble. Once you have made this switch, you get the best of both worlds. You get the speed and memory efficiency of the Edge browser combined with the search power of Google. It is a setup that many tech enthusiasts prefer over using Chrome itself.
If you ever decide to switch back or try a privacy-focused engine like DuckDuckGo, you now know exactly where to go. The process is the same regardless of which service you choose. Remember to check your settings after major system updates, as companies like to reset preferences from time to time. Now that you know how to make Google the default search engine on Edge, you can browse the web exactly the way you want.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.
Read his full bio here.
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