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How to change the default search engine

UPDATED ON: August 2, 2026

How to Change the Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge

By default, Microsoft Edge uses Bing as its built-in search engine for the address bar. While Bing offers integrated Copilot features and rewards, many users prefer to use Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another preferred provider for their everyday web searches.

Fortunately, Microsoft Edge makes it very easy to switch your default search engine to any provider that supports OpenSearch standards. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through how to change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge across desktop devices.

Step-by-Step Guide: Changing Your Search Engine in Edge

Follow these straightforward steps to update your search engine settings:

Step 1: Open Edge Settings

  1. Launch Microsoft Edge on your computer.

  2. Click on the three horizontal dots (…) menu icon located in the top-right corner of the browser window (or press Alt + F).

  3. From the drop-down menu, select Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to Privacy, search, and services

  1. In the left-hand sidebar of the Settings page, click on Privacy, search, and services. (Note: If your window is narrow, you may need to click the three-line hamburger menu icon at the top-left of the settings page to see the sidebar categories).

  2. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page until you see the Services section.

  3. Click on Address bar and search.

Step 3: Change the Search Engine

  1. Look for the dropdown menu labeled Search engine used in the address bar. It will likely currently display “Bing”.

  2. Click the dropdown and select your preferred search engine (such as Google or DuckDuckGo) from the list.

If your desired search engine does not appear in the dropdown list:

  1. Click on Manage search engines.

  2. Click the Add button.

  3. Enter the name of the search engine, the keyword shortcut, and the URL with %s substituted for the query term (e.g., for Google: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s), then click Add. Once added, return to the previous menu and select it as default.

Step 4: Configure Address Bar Search Behavior (Optional)

Right below the search engine dropdown, you can also configure how the address bar behaves:

  • Search in the address bar using: Choose whether typing a query in the address bar performs the search using your newly selected default engine.

  • Search on new tabs uses search box or address bar: Choose your preference for new tab page searches.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I set Google as my default search engine in Microsoft Edge?

Yes. As long as you have visited Google’s homepage at least once (allowing Edge to detect its OpenSearch protocol), Google will appear as an option in your address bar search engine settings, allowing you to select it as your default.

Why doesn’t my preferred search engine appear in the Edge dropdown list?

Edge populates its default search engine list based on search providers you have actively visited and browsed. If a specific search engine isn’t listed, visiting its main website first usually prompts Edge to recognize it, or you can manually add it via the “Manage search engines” menu.

Does changing the search engine affect Microsoft Copilot integration?

Changing your default address bar search engine changes where web queries typed directly into the URL bar are sent. However, built-in browser features like the sidebar Copilot chat remain tied to Microsoft services.