Setting Google as your default search engine in Edge

Microsoft Edge comes set to use Bing as its default search engine, but you can change it to Google in about 30 seconds. Open Edge, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, select Settings, then choose Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar. Under the "Search engine" section, click the dropdown that currently shows "Bing" and select Google. That's it — Edge will now search with Google whenever you use the address bar.

The change takes effect when ready. The next time you type a search term in the address bar at the top of the window, Edge will send that search to Google instead of Bing. You don't need to restart the browser or change any other settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Google can be set as your default search engine through Edge's Settings menu under Privacy, search, and services.
  • The change applies only to searches typed in the address bar — it does not affect search boxes on websites themselves.
  • Edge offers other search engines as defaults too, including Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia if you prefer those instead.
  • If you use multiple profiles in Edge, each profile can have its own default search engine set independently.

Where to find the search engine settings

The Settings menu is the control center for most Edge preferences. Click the three-dot menu (sometimes called the "More" menu) in the top right corner of any Edge window. It looks like three horizontal dots stacked on top of each other. From the dropdown that appears, select Settings — it's usually near the bottom of the list.

Once Settings opens, you'll see a sidebar on the left with several options. Look for Privacy, search, and services and click it. This section controls what search engine Edge uses, what data it collects, and other privacy-related choices. The search engine dropdown is near the top of this page, under a heading that says "Search engine used in the address bar."

Choosing Google from the dropdown menu

In the "Search engine used in the address bar" section, you'll see a dropdown button showing whichever engine is currently set — usually "Bing" on a fresh Edge installation. Click that dropdown to see all available options. Google appears in the list along with Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia.

Click Google to select it. The dropdown will close and Google is now your default. You can verify the change took effect by looking at the dropdown again — it should now display "Google" instead of "Bing." No restart is needed.

What this change does and doesn't affect

Setting Google as your default search engine changes only what happens when you type in the address bar at the top of the window. If you type "weather" in the address bar, Edge will search Google for weather. This applies whether you're on the home page, a blank tab, or any website.

This setting does not change search boxes that appear on websites themselves. If you visit a website that has its own search box and type in it, that website's search engine will be used instead. It also doesn't affect search boxes in other browsers — this change is specific to Edge only.

Using different search engines for different profiles

If you use multiple profiles in Edge (a feature that lets different people have separate bookmarks, history, and settings on the same computer), each profile can have its own default search engine. Switch to a different profile by clicking your profile icon in the top right corner and selecting the profile you want to use.

Then repeat the steps above: go to Settings, select Privacy, search, and services, and choose a different search engine from the dropdown. That profile will now use the search engine you selected, while your other profiles keep their own settings. This is useful if one person in a household prefers Google and another prefers DuckDuckGo for privacy reasons.

Other search engines available in Edge

Edge offers several search engines as defaults beyond Google and Bing. Yahoo is available if you prefer its interface or results. DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused option that doesn't track your searches. Ecosia is a search engine that plants trees with its ad revenue. All of these can be selected the same way Google is — through the dropdown in Privacy, search, and services.

If none of these built-in options suit you, Edge also allows you to add custom search engines. However, this requires more steps and is less common. For most people, one of the options in the dropdown will work.

Reverting to Bing if you change your mind

If you decide later that you want to go back to Bing, the process is identical. Open Settings, go to Privacy, search, and services, click the search engine dropdown, and select Bing. Your searches will when ready return to using Bing. You can switch between search engines as often as you want with no penalty or side effects.

Edge doesn't require you to stick with one choice forever. Some people switch search engines depending on what they're looking for — using Google for general searches and DuckDuckGo for sensitive queries, for example. You can change your default as many times as you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Changing your default search engine only changes which search service processes your searches from the address bar. Your bookmarks, history, saved passwords, and all other data remain exactly as they were. The change is isolated to search only.

Does this change explore to Google Chrome or other browsers?

No. This change affects only Microsoft Edge. If you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or another browser, you'll need to change the default search engine in that browser separately. Each browser has its own settings and doesn't share them with others.

What if Google doesn't appear in my dropdown menu?

Google should appear in the dropdown on all current versions of Edge. If it doesn't, make sure you're looking at the correct dropdown under "Search engine used in the address bar" in the Privacy, search, and services section. If you're still not seeing it, try updating Edge to the latest version through Settings > About Microsoft Edge.

Can I set a different search engine for private browsing?

No. Edge uses the same default search engine for both regular and private browsing windows. However, you can use a different profile with a different default search engine if you want separate settings for different browsing modes.

Will websites still work the same way after I change my search engine?

Yes. Websites function identically regardless of which search engine you've set as your default. The change only affects searches you initiate from the address bar, not how websites load or behave.