Changing your search engine in Microsoft Edge is a quick process that gives you more control over your browsing. To do this, open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner to reveal the main menu. Select Settings from the list, then look for the “Privacy, search, and services” tab on the left side of the screen. You must scroll all the way to the bottom of this page. Click on the arrow next to “Address bar and search.” Finally, locate the dropdown menu labeled “Search engine used in the address bar” and switch it from Bing to Google.
Tutorial – How to set Google as default search engine in Edge
This section will guide you through the specific actions needed to replace Bing with Google. By following these instructions, you tell the browser to send your questions to Google whenever you type them into the top address bar.
Step 1: Open the main menu in Microsoft Edge.
You need to look for the icon that looks like three horizontal dots. It is located in the upper right corner of the browser window. Clicking this opens a list of options for controlling the browser.
Step 2: Click on the Settings option.
Scan down the list until you see a gear icon labeled Settings. This will take you to a new page where you can change how Edge behaves. It is usually near the bottom of the menu.
Step 3: Navigate to Privacy, search, and services.
Look at the sidebar on the left side of your screen. You will see a list of different categories. Click on the one that mentions privacy and search to access the correct tools.
Step 4: Scroll down to Address bar and search.
You will need to go to the very bottom of the page. It can be easy to miss because there are many options here. Click on the arrow next to the words “Address bar and search” to open more details.
Step 5: Select Google from the dropdown menu.
Find the box that says “Search engine used in the address bar.” It will likely say Bing right now. Click it and choose Google from the list to make it your main choice.
Now that you have finished these steps, your browser will behave differently. When you type a query into the top bar, it will take you directly to Google results. You no longer have to navigate to the Google homepage first.
Tips for how to set Google as default search engine in Edge
- If you do not see Google in the list, you might need to visit Google.com once so Edge recognizes it as an option.
- You can also manage other search engines in the same menu by clicking “Manage search engines” to delete ones you do not want.
- Edge might ask you to switch back to recommended settings after an update, so be careful not to click “yes” by accident.
- Changing the address bar search does not always change the search bar on the “New Tab” page, which might still use Bing.
- You can set up keywords in the “Manage search engines” section to quickly switch between Google, Wikipedia, or other sites while typing.
Why does the New Tab page still search with Bing?
Microsoft Edge designs the New Tab page to feature Bing heavily. Even if you change the default engine for the address bar, the search box in the middle of the new tab usually stays with Bing. You can install extensions to change the new tab layout if this bothers you.
Can I use a different search engine besides Google?
Yes, you can choose any engine you like. The list usually includes options like DuckDuckGo or Yahoo. If your preferred engine is not there, visit its website and then check the settings menu again.
Will changing this setting affect my saved passwords?
No, changing your search engine only affects how you look up information. It does not touch your personal data like passwords or bookmarks. Your privacy settings regarding tracking remain separate from this specific choice.
How do I get Google back if I accidentally deleted it?
If you removed Google from the list, simply go to Google.com and search for something. Edge is smart enough to detect the engine. Go back to the settings menu, and it should reappear as an option.
Is Google faster than Bing on Edge?
The speed of the search depends mostly on your internet connection. Both engines are very fast and responsive. The main difference lies in the quality of results and the layout of the page, not the speed.
Summary
- Open the main menu in Microsoft Edge.
- Click on the Settings option.
- Navigate to Privacy, search, and services.
- Scroll down to Address bar and search.
- Select Google from the dropdown menu.
Conclusion
Taking control of your web browser is a small but empowering step in your digital life. Microsoft Edge is a fantastic piece of software built on the same technology as Chrome, but it pushes its own services very hard. This is understandable because Microsoft wants you to use Bing. However, as a user, you should always have the final say in how you find information. By making this change, you streamline your daily workflow. You save seconds every day by not having to type in a website address before making a search.
It is important to remember that technology serves you, not the other way around. Customizing settings ensures the tool works exactly how you think it should. If you ever decide to try a privacy-focused engine later, you now know exactly where to look. The process is the same regardless of which service you choose. Feel free to explore other settings in that menu as well. You might find other ways to make your browsing experience smoother. Thank you for reading this guide on how to set google as default search engine in edge and taking charge of your internet experience.
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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