Set Google as your default search engine in Edge in three steps

Microsoft Edge comes set to Bing by default, but you can change it to Google in about a minute. Open Edge, go to Settings, select Privacy, Search, and Services from the left menu, then find the Search Engine section and choose Google from the dropdown. Edge will use Google for searches in the address bar and the search box on new tabs from that point forward.

This change affects only your browser — it does not change your system-wide search settings or affect other programs. If you use multiple browsers, you will need to set Google as default in each one separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Edge defaults to Bing, but you can switch to Google through Settings in under two minutes.
  • The change applies to searches typed in the address bar and the search box on new tab pages.
  • You can also add Google as a search option without making it default, then switch between search engines as you type.
  • If you share a computer, each user account has its own search engine setting.

Step-by-step: changing your default search engine

Start by opening Microsoft Edge. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the window, then select Settings from the dropdown menu.

In the Settings window, click Privacy, Search, and Services on the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see the Search Engine section — it will show your current default (usually Bing) in a dropdown menu. Click that dropdown and select Google from the list.

Edge will confirm the change immediately. You do not need to restart the browser. The next time you type a search in the address bar or use the search box on a new tab, Google will handle the search instead of Bing.

What happens when you search after changing the default

Once Google is set as default, typing a question or phrase into the address bar will send that search to Google.com. The same applies if you click the search box on a new tab page — your search will go to Google instead of Bing.

If you have a Google account and are signed in to Google in your browser, your search history will be saved to that account. You can manage this in your Google account settings under My Activity if you want to delete searches or turn off search history recording.

Using Google without making it your default

If you want to keep Bing as default but still have the option to search with Google, you can add Google as an alternative search engine. Go back to Settings, Privacy, Search, and Services, then scroll to the Search Engines section. Click Manage Search Engines, then click Add, and fill in the fields with Google's information.

Once Google is added as an option, you can switch between search engines while typing. When you type in the address bar, you will see small icons for each available search engine. Click the Google icon to search with Google for that one query without changing your default.

Reverting to Bing or choosing a different search engine

If you want to switch back to Bing or try a different search engine, the process is identical. Go to Settings, Privacy, Search, and Services, find the Search Engine dropdown, and select a different option. Edge includes Bing, Google, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo as built-in options — you do not need to add them manually.

DuckDuckGo is worth considering if privacy is a concern. Unlike Google and Bing, DuckDuckGo does not build a profile of your searches or track you across websites. The search results are often similar to Google's, though some users find them less personalized.

Search engine settings on shared computers

If multiple people use the same computer, each Windows user account has its own Edge settings. Your search engine choice will not affect other users — they can set their own defaults independently. This means you can use Google while another user keeps Bing, and neither setting will override the other.

If you share an Edge profile rather than separate Windows accounts, changing the search engine will affect anyone using that profile. To keep settings separate on a shared computer, create a separate Windows user account for each person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my search engine in Edge affect Google Chrome or Firefox?

No. Each browser stores its own search engine setting. If you use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, you will need to change the default search engine in each one separately. The setting in Edge does not carry over to other browsers.

Can I use Google for some searches and Bing for others?

Yes. Add Google as an alternative search engine (without making it default), then click the Google icon in the address bar when you want to search with Google. This lets you choose which search engine to use for each individual search.

What if Google does not appear in the search engine dropdown?

Google should be included by default in Edge. If it is not showing, go to Manage Search Engines and click Add, then enter "Google" as the name, "g" as the shortcut, and "https://www.google.com/search?q=%s" as the URL. Click Add and it will appear in your list.

Does changing my search engine affect my browsing history or saved passwords?

No. Your search engine setting is separate from your browsing history, saved passwords, and other browser data. Changing the search engine will not delete or change any of that information.

Why does Edge use Bing by default?

Bing is Microsoft's search engine, and Edge is a Microsoft product. Microsoft sets Bing as the default to promote its own service, but you can override this choice at any time. The option to change search engines is built into Edge specifically so you can use whichever search engine you prefer.