If you’re using Windows 10 and the Microsoft Edge web browser, you may have decided it’s impossible to change the browser’s default search engine to something other than Bing—like to that other search engine called Google. You’re wrong. While Microsoft thinks Bing works better with Edge, they’ve still provided a way for you to make any other search engine your default. But it’s a bit hard to find. 


You can change the default to Google or any other search engine. But first, here are the reasons Microsoft says to stick with Bing as your default search engine:

  • Direct links to Windows 10 apps
  • More relevant suggestions from Microsoft 10’s digital assistant, Cortana
  • Helps you get the most out of Edge and Windows 10

If you don’t find those reasons compelling and want to use Google, here’s how to change your default search engine. (If you find those reasons compelling, you should stop reading now.)

Step-by-step: How to change the Microsoft Edge default search engine

Intuitively, you might think of going to Edge’s “settings” page and typing the name of the new search engine in the box that says “search engine.” But no.

Instead of the intuitive way, do the following:

  • Open Microsoft Edge
  • Browse to the homepage of Google search or another search engine you prefer
  • Once you have the preferred search engine’s homepage on your screen, Go to the upper-right corner of the Edge toolbar and select: More actions (…)> Settings.
  • Scroll down to select View advanced settings.
  • In the list under Search in the address bar with choose Add new.
  • Select Google or another search engine and then select Add as default.

(via: NYTimes.com and Microsoft.com)

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