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

Open Microsoft Edge and select the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Go to Settings, then Privacy, search, and services. Under the "Search engine" section, click the dropdown next to "Address bar search engine" and choose Google. Edge will now use Google whenever you search from the address bar.

This change only affects searches you type into the address bar at the top of the window. If you use the search box that appears on a blank tab, you can set that separately — though most people leave both pointing to the same engine for consistency.

Key Takeaways

  • The address bar search engine setting is in Edge's Settings under Privacy, search, and services, not in a separate search menu.
  • Google must already be installed as an option in Edge before you can select it — it usually is by default, but if you don't see it in the dropdown, you may need to add it manually.
  • Changing your default search engine in Edge does not affect Google Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser on your computer.
  • Edge remembers your choice across all windows and sessions until you change it again.

Why Edge might not show Google in the dropdown

If you open the address bar search engine dropdown and Google is not listed, it means Edge has not registered Google as an available option yet. This can happen on a fresh installation or if you have never searched from the address bar before.

To add Google manually, open a new tab in Edge and click the search box in the center of the page. Type a search term and press Enter. Edge will detect Google and add it to your list of available search engines. After that, Google will appear in the Settings dropdown and you can select it as your default.

The difference between address bar search and tab search

Edge has two places where you can search: the address bar at the very top, and the search box that appears on a blank new tab. By default, both use Bing. You can set them to different search engines if you want, though most people keep them the same.

To change the tab search engine separately, go to Settings, then Privacy, search, and services, and scroll down to find Search on the new tab page. The process is identical — select the dropdown and choose Google. If you want both to use Google, you only need to change the address bar setting, since the tab search will follow automatically in most cases.

What happens to your search history

Switching your default search engine does not delete any search history Edge has already recorded. Your previous searches remain in Edge's history until you clear them manually. If you want to remove them, go to Settings, select Privacy, search, and services, and under "Clear browsing data" choose what time period to clear and what types of data to remove.

Your search history with Google is separate from your search history in Edge. When you search through Google, Google stores that search in your Google account (if you are signed in). Edge stores it separately in Edge's local history. Clearing one does not clear the other.

Switching back to Bing or choosing a different engine

You can change your default search engine as many times as you want. Open Settings, go to Privacy, search, and services, and click the address bar search engine dropdown. Select whichever engine you want — Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or any other option Edge offers. The change takes effect immediately.

If you want to use a search engine that does not appear in the dropdown, you can add it manually. Search for that engine in Edge, then right-click the search box on its website. Select Add as search engine from the menu. Edge will add it to your list, and you can then set it as your default.

Why Edge defaults to Bing

Microsoft owns both Edge and Bing, so Edge is set to use Bing as the default search engine. This is a business decision, not a technical limitation — you can change it to any search engine you prefer. Changing your default does not affect any other settings in Edge and does not slow down your browser.

Some workplaces or schools configure Edge to use a specific search engine and prevent employees or students from changing it. If you cannot find the search engine settings or the dropdown is grayed out, your device may be managed by an organization. Contact your IT department or administrator to request a change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my search engine in Edge affect my other browsers?

No. Each browser — Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari — has its own default search engine setting. Changing Edge's default does not touch any other browser on your computer. You would need to change the default separately in each one.

Can I set different search engines for different profiles in Edge?

Yes. Edge allows multiple user profiles, and each profile can have its own default search engine. Go to Settings in the profile you want to change, then follow the same steps. Other profiles will keep their own settings.

What if the search engine dropdown is empty or grayed out?

If the dropdown is grayed out, your device is likely managed by an organization that has locked the setting. Contact your IT department. If it is empty, try searching from the address bar once — Edge will detect available engines and populate the list.

Does changing my search engine affect my saved passwords or bookmarks?

No. Your passwords, bookmarks, browsing history, and all other data remain unchanged. Only future searches will use the new search engine you selected.