Tired of Bing automatically handling your searches in Microsoft Edge? You are not alone. Switching your default search engine to Google is surprisingly simple and takes less than a minute. You just need to dive into the Edge settings menu, find the section for your address bar, and choose Google from a list of available options. This small change puts the world’s most popular search engine back at your fingertips for every search you make.
Tutorial – How to Make Google Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge
This guide will walk you through the exact clicks needed to change your search engine. By following these simple instructions, you will tell Microsoft Edge to use Google for all searches you type directly into the address bar at the top of your browser. It’s like changing the radio station in your car, you are just setting a new default.
Step 1: Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer.
You can find the Edge icon on your desktop, taskbar, or in your Start menu. Just double-click it to get started. Before we change any settings, it is a good idea to have the browser up and running.
Step 2: Visit the Google homepage.
Type www.google.com into the address bar at the top of the browser and press Enter. This step helps ensure that Edge recognizes Google as a potential search engine option, making it available to select in the settings later on. Sometimes, if you have never visited a search engine’s site, it might not show up in the list of choices.
Step 3: Open the Settings menu.
Look for the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner of the Edge window. This is the “Settings and more” menu. Click on it, and a dropdown menu will appear with a list of options. Near the bottom of this list, you will find “Settings.” Go ahead and click that.
This menu is the control center for your entire browser. You can manage everything here, from your privacy settings and passwords to the way the browser looks and feels. We are just heading to one specific spot today.
Step 4: Go to “Privacy, search, and services.”
Once you are on the Settings page, look at the menu on the left-hand side. You will see several categories. Click on “Privacy, search, and services.” This section holds all the options related to your online security and how the browser handles search functions.
Step 5: Scroll down and click on “Address bar and search.”
You will need to scroll all the way to the bottom of the “Privacy, search, and services” page. The very last option is “Address bar and search.” Click on it to open the search-specific settings. This is where the magic happens.
Step 6: Change the search engine used in the address bar.
You will now see an option labeled “Search engine used in the address bar” with a dropdown menu next to it. It will likely say “Bing (Recommended, default).” Click on this dropdown menu, and you should see “Google” as an option. Select it.
After you select Google, the change is saved automatically. You can now close the settings tab. The next time you type a search query into the address bar and hit Enter, Microsoft Edge will use Google to find your results instead of Bing.
Tips for Making Google the Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge
- If Google doesn’t appear in the dropdown list, make sure you have visited google.com first. This action helps Edge “discover” it as a search provider.
- You can add other search engines, like DuckDuckGo or Yahoo, using the same method. Just visit their homepage first, then follow the steps to find them in the list.
- Sometimes, a major Microsoft Edge update might reset your settings back to the default. If you suddenly find yourself back on Bing, just repeat these quick steps to switch it back.
- This change only affects searches made in the address bar. The search box on the default “New Tab” page might still use Bing. You can often change this through the customization options on that page.
- You can also manage your search providers by clicking “Manage search engines” in the same settings area. Here, you can remove options you never use or edit the keyword for a specific search engine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Edge use Bing by default?
Microsoft Edge is a web browser created by Microsoft, and Bing is a search engine also created by Microsoft. They set Bing as the default to promote their own product and integrate it with other Microsoft services, like Microsoft Rewards.
Can I completely remove Bing from Microsoft Edge?
No, you cannot completely remove Bing from the list of available search engines in Edge. Because it is the browser’s native search engine, it will always be an option. However, by setting Google as your default, you effectively make Bing inactive for your address bar searches.
Will changing the search engine on my computer sync to my phone?
If you are signed into the same Microsoft account on both your computer and your mobile version of Edge, and you have sync enabled, this setting should carry over. Your browsing experience will become consistent across all your devices.
What if I followed the steps and Google still isn’t an option?
The most common reason for this is that Edge hasn’t detected it yet. The easiest fix is to go to google.com, perform a search for anything, and then go back into the settings menu. This activity usually forces Edge to recognize Google as a valid search provider.
Is it safe to change my default search engine?
Yes, it is completely safe. Changing your search engine is a standard customization feature in all modern web browsers. Switching to a reputable search engine like Google has no negative impact on your browser’s security or performance.
Quick Summary
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Go to google.com.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select “Settings.”
- Choose “Privacy, search, and services” from the left menu.
- Scroll to the bottom and click “Address bar and search.”
- Use the dropdown menu to select Google as your default.
Final Thoughts
In the digital world, we spend a huge amount of time inside a web browser. It is our window to information, entertainment, and connection. Because of this, being able to customize that window to fit your personal preferences is not just a luxury, it is a necessity for a smooth and intuitive online experience. Think of it like arranging the furniture in your living room. You place the couch and coffee table where they make the most sense for you, not where the builder left them. Changing your search engine is exactly the same kind of personal touch.
Microsoft builds Edge to work seamlessly with its own ecosystem, which naturally includes Bing. There is nothing wrong with that, and for many users, Bing is a perfectly capable search engine. However, many of us have spent years, even decades, building a habit and a sense of familiarity with Google. We understand its layout, we trust its algorithm, and our fingers automatically type queries in a way that we know Google will understand. Switching away from that can feel like trying to write with your non-dominant hand. It’s doable, but it just feels a little off.
That is why learning how to make google default search engine microsoft edge is such a popular and important skill for Edge users. It is a simple act of reclaiming your digital comfort zone. This process is not about declaring one search engine superior to another. It is about user choice. It is about empowering you to make your tools work for you, not the other way around. By taking these few simple steps, you are tailoring your technology to align with your habits, making your daily journey across the web just a little bit faster, a little more familiar, and a whole lot more comfortable. So go ahead, make the change, and enjoy a browser that truly feels like your own.
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.