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

Microsoft Edge comes set to use Bing as its default search engine, but you can change it to Google in about a minute. Open Edge, go to Settings, find the Search Engine section, and pick Google from the list. Edge will then use Google whenever you search from the address bar or the search box on a new tab.

This change only affects Edge — it does not change your default search engine in other browsers like Chrome or Firefox. If you use multiple browsers, you will need to set the default search engine separately in each one.

Key Takeaways

  • Edge lets you pick your default search engine from a dropdown menu in Settings without installing anything extra.
  • Google will become your search engine for the address bar and the new tab page search box once you select it.
  • Changing the default search engine in Edge does not affect search settings in other browsers.
  • You can switch back to Bing or choose a different search engine at any time using the same Settings menu.

Open Edge Settings and find the search engine menu

Launch Microsoft Edge and look for the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the window. Click it, then select Settings from the dropdown menu that appears.

In Settings, click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. This section controls how Edge handles searches and your browsing data. Scroll down until you see the Search engine heading — it appears under a section labeled "Search and service improvement."

Select Google from the search engine list

Under the "Search engine" heading, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current default search engine (usually Bing). Click this dropdown to see all available options. Google appears in the list by default — you do not need to add it manually.

Click Google to select it. Edge will immediately set Google as your default search engine. You will see the dropdown now displays "Google" instead of "Bing." There is no save button to click — the change takes effect right away.

Verify the change works on the new tab page

Open a new tab in Edge by pressing Ctrl+T (or Cmd+T on Mac), or click the plus icon next to your current tab. You should see the Edge new tab page with a search box in the center. Click the search box and type a test search — you will notice the search results now come from Google instead of Bing.

You can also test by clicking the address bar at the top of the window and typing a search term directly. Edge will search using Google and show you the results. If you see Bing results instead, go back to Settings and confirm that Google is selected in the dropdown.

Switch back to Bing or choose a different search engine

If you change your mind and want to use Bing again, return to Settings > Privacy, search, and services, click the search engine dropdown, and select Bing. You can switch between search engines as often as you want using the same dropdown menu.

Edge also offers Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia as built-in options. If you want to use a search engine that does not appear in the dropdown, you can add a custom search engine, though this requires a few extra steps in the same Settings menu.

Understand what this change does and does not affect

Setting Google as your default search engine in Edge changes where Edge sends your searches when you use the address bar or the new tab search box. It does not change anything about how you search within websites — if you go to a website and use its own search box, that website controls the results.

This setting is specific to Edge. If you also use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or another browser, those browsers have their own default search engine settings. Changing the default in Edge will not change it in any other browser. You will need to adjust each browser separately if you want them all to use Google.

Troubleshoot if Google does not appear in the dropdown

In almost all cases, Google appears in the search engine dropdown without any extra steps. If you open the dropdown and do not see Google listed, try restarting Edge completely — close all Edge windows and open it again, then return to Settings to check the list.

If Google still does not appear after restarting, your version of Edge may be outdated. Click the three-dot menu, select Help and feedback, then About Microsoft Edge. Edge will automatically check for updates and install them if available. After updating, restart Edge and check the search engine dropdown again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default search engine in Edge affect Google Chrome?

No. Each browser has its own default search engine setting. Changing it in Edge does not change it in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or any other browser. You must change the default search engine separately in each browser you use.

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

Not automatically. Edge uses your default search engine for all searches from the address bar and new tab page. However, you can always go directly to Google.com and search there, which will give you Google results regardless of your default setting.

What happens to my search history if I change the default search engine?

Your search history is not affected. Changing the default search engine only changes where new searches go. Any searches you made with Bing before switching to Google remain in your Edge history, and future searches will be recorded with Google.

Do I need to restart Edge after changing the default search engine?

No. The change takes effect immediately. You can open a new tab right away and start searching with Google without closing and reopening Edge.

Can I add a search engine that is not in the dropdown list?

Yes. In Settings > Privacy, search, and services, scroll down past the main search engine dropdown to find "Site search shortcuts." You can add custom search engines there, though the process requires more steps than selecting from the built-in list.