Google is not Edge's default search engine — Bing is

Microsoft Edge comes set to use Bing as its search engine. If you type a question into the address bar or use the search box on a new tab, Edge sends that search to Bing by default. You can change this to Google in about one minute through Edge's settings.

This matters because your choice of search engine affects what results you see, how your searches are tracked, and which company's privacy policy covers your search history. Switching to Google means your searches go to Google instead of Microsoft, and Google's data practices explore to what you search for.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Edge settings by clicking the three-dot menu in the top right corner, then select Settings.
  • Go to Privacy, search, and services on the left side, then scroll down to find the Search engine section.
  • Click the dropdown menu under "Search engine used in the address bar" and select Google from the list.
  • Edge will when ready use Google for any searches you type into the address bar or the search box on new tabs.

Step-by-step: changing your search engine in Edge

Start by opening Microsoft Edge and looking at the top right corner of the window. You will see three horizontal dots stacked on top of each other — this is the menu button. Click it.

A dropdown menu will appear. Look for the word "Settings" near the bottom of that menu and click it. Edge will open a new page showing your settings options.

On the left side of the settings page, you will see a list of categories. Find and click "Privacy, search, and services." The page will show you many options related to privacy and search.

Scroll down on this page until you see a section labeled "Search engine." Under that heading, you will find a dropdown menu that currently shows "Bing" or another search engine. Click on that dropdown menu.

A list of search engines will appear, including Google. Click on "Google" to select it. Edge will save this change when ready — you do not need to click a Save button or restart the browser.

What happens after you switch to Google

Once Google is set as your default, any time you type a question or search term into Edge's address bar at the top of the window, your search will go to Google instead of Bing. The same applies if you use the search box that appears when you open a new tab.

Your browsing in Edge itself does not change — you can still visit any website you want. Only the search function changes. If you visit Google's website directly, nothing is different. This setting only affects what happens when you use Edge's built-in search feature.

Google will now see your searches and store them according to Google's privacy policy. If you are signed into a Google account in Edge, Google may link your searches to that account. You can manage what Google stores by visiting myactivity.google.com or by adjusting your Google account privacy settings.

How to change it back to Bing or try a different search engine

If you want to switch back to Bing or try a different search engine later, the process is identical. Go to Settings, click Privacy, search, and services, scroll to the Search engine section, and click the dropdown menu. You will see options including Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and others depending on your region.

DuckDuckGo is an alternative that many people choose because it does not store your search history or track you across websites. Yahoo is another option. The search engines available in the dropdown depend on where you live, but Google and Bing are available almost everywhere.

If Google does not appear in the dropdown list

In rare cases, Google may not show up in the dropdown menu. This sometimes happens in certain countries or regions where Microsoft has restricted the options available. If Google is not there, you can add it manually by scrolling to the bottom of the dropdown and clicking "Add" or "Manage search engines."

A new page will open showing search engines you can add. Find Google in that list and click the button next to it to add it. Once you add Google, go back to the dropdown and select it as your default.

Why Edge uses Bing by default

Microsoft owns both Edge and Bing, so the company sets Bing as the default to encourage people to use its own search engine. This is the same reason Chrome defaults to Google — Google owns Chrome. Neither browser prevents you from using a different search engine; they just start you with their own.

Choosing a different search engine is a personal preference. Some people prefer Google's search results. Others prefer Bing, DuckDuckGo for privacy, or another option. Edge lets you pick whichever one you trust most or find most useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or browsing history?

No. Your bookmarks, history, and all other Edge data stay exactly the same. Only the search engine changes. You can switch back and forth between search engines without losing anything.

Does this change affect searches I do on websites, or only Edge's address bar?

Only Edge's built-in search feature. When you visit a website and use that website's search box, you are using that website's search, not Edge's default. This setting only controls what happens when you search through Edge itself.

Can I set different search engines for different situations?

Edge does not have a built-in way to use different search engines in different contexts. You can only set one default. If you want to use multiple search engines regularly, you would need to visit their websites directly or use different browsers.

If I sign out of my Google account, will my searches still be tracked?

Google can still see your searches even if you are not signed into a Google account, but it cannot link them to your account. If you want to reduce tracking, you can use a private browsing window or switch to a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo.