While Microsoft Edge browser comes pre-installed on Windows computers with Bing as its default Search Engine, it provides the option to change the default Search Engine to Google, DuckDuckGo and other Search Engines.
When you change the default search engine in Microsoft Edge, all the web searches that you carry out using the Search bar on Microsoft Edge will be carried out by your preferred Search Engine.
However, Windows will continue to use its native “Bing” Search Engine, whenever you search using the Search bar in Windows Start Menu and also when you use Copilot, which makes use of Bing Search data.
Change Default Search Engine in Windows Via Microsoft Edge
You can change the default Search Engine on a Windows 11 computer by going to “Manage Search Engines” tab in the Settings Menu of Microsoft Edge browser, which provides the option to select Google, DuckDuckGo and other search Engines.
If your desired Search Engine is not available on “Manage Search Engines” page, you will be required to visit the Home page of your desired Search Engine, which should make it available for selection.
1. Use Google As Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge
If you like using Google Search, you can make the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer to use Google as its default Search Engine on your computer.
1. Open Microsoft Edge browser on your computer.
2. Type www.google.com in the search bar and press the Enter Key.
3. Once you land on Google, click on 3-dots Menu Icon and select Settings in the drop-down menu.
4. On the Settings screen, select Privacy, Search and Services in the left-pane. In the right-pane, scroll down and click on Address bar and search option.
5. On the next screen, scroll down and click on Manage Search Engines option.
6. On the next screen, click on 3-dots menu located next to “Google” and select Make Default option in the contextual menu.
Make sure you Restart Microsoft Edge to implement this change on your computer.
2. Use DuckDuckGo As Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge
You can follow the steps below to make the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer use DuckDuckGo as its default search engine.
1. Open the Microsoft Edge > type www.duckduckgo.com in the Search bar and press the Enter Key.
2. Once you land on DuckDuckGo, click on 3-dots Menu Icon and select Settings in the drop-down menu.
3. On the Settings screen, select Privacy, Search and Services in the left-pane. In the right-pane, scroll down and click on Address bar and search tab.
4. On the next screen, scroll down and click on Manage Search Engines.
5. On the next screen, click on 3-dots menu Icon, located next to “DuckDuckGo” and select Make Default option in the menu that appears.
6. Make sure you restart the browser to implement this change on your computer.