How To Set Google As Default Search Engine In Edge

Microsoft Edge ships with Bing as its default search engine — which makes sense from Microsoft's perspective, but not necessarily yours. If you consistently find yourself retyping google.com or getting Bing results when you'd rather see Google's, changing the default is a straightforward settings adjustment. Here's exactly how it works, what to watch for, and why the experience can vary depending on your setup.

Why Edge Defaults to Bing (And Why It Matters)

Edge is a Chromium-based browser, meaning its underlying engine is the same as Google Chrome. But Microsoft builds its own defaults on top of that foundation — including Bing as the search engine for the address bar, the new tab page, and right-click search functions.

When you type a search query directly into the address bar (the omnibox), Edge sends that query to whatever search engine is set as default. If that's Bing, you get Bing results. Changing the default to Google means those same address bar searches go to Google instead — no extra steps required.

How To Change the Default Search Engine in Edge 🔍

The process is consistent across Windows, macOS, and most versions of Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge
2. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner
3. Select Settings
4. In the left sidebar, click Privacy, search, and services
5. Scroll down to the Services section and click Address bar and search
6. Under Search engine used in the address bar, open the dropdown menu
7. Select Google

If Google doesn't appear in the dropdown, you'll need to add it manually (covered below).

What To Do If Google Isn't Listed as an Option

Edge only shows search engines it has detected from your browsing history — specifically, sites that publish an OpenSearch description, which is a standard format that tells browsers how to use a site as a search engine. Google supports this standard, so it typically appears automatically if you've visited Google.com recently.

If it's not showing up:

1. Open a new tab and navigate to google.com
2. Perform a search
3. Return to Settings → Address bar and search
4. Check the dropdown again — Google should now appear

Alternatively, scroll down on the Address bar and search page and click Manage search engines. From here you can add Google manually using these values:

Once added, return to the dropdown and set it as the default.

Address Bar vs. New Tab Page — Two Separate Settings ⚙️

This is where many users run into confusion. Changing the address bar default does not automatically change the new tab search bar.

Edge's new tab page has its own search bar, which is controlled separately and also defaults to Bing. To change it, you have a few options:

• Change the new tab page itself — In Settings → New tab page, you can switch from the default Microsoft layout to a custom page, or install a browser extension that replaces the new tab entirely
• Use the address bar instead — If you Ctrl+L (or click the address bar) and search from there, your new default applies immediately

Some users also find that Microsoft's policies or organizational IT settings lock certain defaults in place — particularly on work-managed devices or school-issued machines. If the dropdown is grayed out or the setting reverts after being changed, that's likely a policy restriction rather than a browser bug.

Edge Profiles, Syncing, and Where Settings Live

If you use multiple Edge profiles — for example, one for work and one for personal use — search engine settings are stored per profile. Changing the default on one profile doesn't affect others.

Edge also offers a sync feature that can carry your settings across devices when you're signed into a Microsoft account. Whether your search engine preference syncs depends on which sync options are enabled. You can check this under Settings → Profiles → Sync.

Factors That Affect Your Experience

Not every user's setup works identically. A few variables worth knowing:

• Edge version: The settings menu layout has shifted slightly across major versions. If your interface looks different from what's described here, check for pending updates under Settings → About Microsoft Edge
• Operating system: The steps above apply to desktop Edge on Windows and macOS. Edge on iOS and Android follows a different path — search engine settings are under Settings → Search Engine in the mobile app
• Enterprise or managed environments: Group policies can restrict or override default search settings, particularly on corporate or education networks
• Extensions: Certain browser extensions, particularly VPNs, ad blockers, or productivity tools, can interfere with search redirects in ways that look like a settings issue but aren't

The Difference Between Default Search and Homepage

It's worth distinguishing between three separate concepts that often get conflated:

• Default search engine — What handles queries typed in the address bar
• Homepage — The page that loads when you click the home button or open a new window
• New tab page — What appears when you open a new tab

Each is configured independently. Setting Google as your default search engine doesn't change your homepage to google.com, and it doesn't change what you see on a new tab. If you want all three pointing toward Google, each needs to be set individually in the Settings menu.

How disruptive Edge's defaults feel — and how much any of this matters — tends to depend heavily on how you actually use your browser day to day, which shortcuts you rely on, and whether you're working within a managed environment or on a personal machine.