Bing appears in Windows search results and your browser because Microsoft owns both — but you can remove it from search results, change your default search engine, and stop Bing suggestions from appearing as you type

Windows 10 and Windows 11 send your search queries to Bing by default, and Bing results show up in the search box before you even press Enter. Your browser may also use Bing as its default search engine. You have three separate places to change this: the Windows search settings, your browser's search settings, and your browser's homepage. Each one works independently, so disabling Bing in one place does not automatically disable it in another.

The steps differ depending on whether you use Edge (Microsoft's browser), Chrome, Firefox, or another browser. This guide covers Windows search, Edge, Chrome, and Firefox — the four places most people encounter Bing.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows search sends queries to Bing by default; you can turn off web results entirely or switch to Google in Settings > Privacy & Security > Search permissions.
  • Edge uses Bing as the default search engine; change it in Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Address bar and search.
  • Chrome and Firefox do not use Bing by default, but if Bing appears in your search results, your browser's search engine setting has been changed and needs to be reset.
  • Bing suggestions that appear as you type in the address bar are separate from search results and require their own setting to turn off.
  • Some browser extensions and toolbars can force Bing as your search engine; uninstalling them may be necessary to keep your choice permanent.

Disable Bing in Windows Search

Windows search is the box that appears when you press the Windows key or click the search icon on your taskbar. By default, it searches your computer and also sends your query to Bing, showing web results below your local files. You can turn off web results entirely or switch to Google.

To turn off web results completely: Open Settings (press Windows key + I). Go to Privacy & Security > Search permissions. Under "Search on the web", toggle the switch to Off. Windows search will now only show files and programs on your computer.

To use Google instead of Bing: The same Settings page does not offer a direct option to switch search engines in Windows search itself. However, you can simply ignore the Bing results and click the Google link that appears at the bottom of the search results panel, or open Google in your browser instead. Windows search results cannot be redirected to Google the way a browser can.

Change Your Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge

Edge is the browser that comes with Windows. It uses Bing as the default search engine in the address bar and search box. Changing this requires going into Edge's settings, not Windows settings.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner.

Step 2: Select Settings.

Step 3: Click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar.

Step 4: Scroll down to "Address bar and search". Under "Search engine used in the address bar", click the dropdown menu (it currently shows Bing).

Step 5: Select Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another option from the list. Your choice takes effect immediately.

If you want to turn off search suggestions that appear as you type, stay in the same Settings page and scroll to "Search suggestions". Toggle this off. This stops Bing from showing predicted searches as you type in the address bar.

Change Your Default Search Engine in Google Chrome

Chrome does not use Bing by default — it uses Google. If Bing is appearing in your Chrome search results, either your search engine setting was changed by an extension or toolbar, or you accidentally changed it yourself. Here is how to check and reset it.

Step 1: Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner.

Step 2: Select Settings.

Step 3: Click Search engine in the left sidebar.

Step 4: Look at the dropdown under "Search engine used in the address bar". If it shows Bing, click the dropdown and select Google.

If Bing keeps reappearing after you change it back to Google, an extension is likely forcing it. Go to Settings > Extensions, and look for any extensions you do not recognize or did not intentionally install. Click the trash icon to remove them. Then return to Search engine and confirm Google is selected.

Change Your Default Search Engine in Firefox

Firefox uses Google as its default search engine. Like Chrome, if Bing is showing up, it has been changed by an extension or by accident.

Step 1: Open Firefox and click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.

Step 2: Select Settings.

Step 3: Click Search in the left sidebar.

Step 4: Under "Default Search Engine", click the dropdown. If it shows Bing, select Google or another option.

If Bing keeps returning, check your extensions. Click the hamburger menu, select Add-ons and themes, then click Extensions. Remove any extension you do not recognize. Return to Settings > Search and confirm your choice is still saved.

Stop Bing From Reinstalling Itself

Sometimes after you change your search engine away from Bing, it reappears the next time you open your browser. This usually happens because a browser extension or toolbar is forcing Bing back, or because malware is present on your computer.

Check your extensions first. In Edge, Chrome, or Firefox, go to your Extensions or Add-ons page and look for anything you did not install yourself. Common culprits include search toolbars, coupon extensions, and download managers. Remove anything suspicious. Then change your search engine back to your preferred option.

Check your homepage and new tab page. In Edge, go to Settings > Start, home, and tabs. Make sure your homepage is set to a site you recognize, not a Bing redirect. In Chrome, go to Settings > On startup and make sure "Open the New Tab page" is selected, not a custom URL. In Firefox, go to Settings > Home and check that the homepage is set correctly.

Run a malware scan if Bing keeps returning. If you have removed extensions and changed your settings multiple times but Bing keeps reappearing, your computer may have malware. Use Windows Defender (built into Windows) or a free tool like Malwarebytes to scan your system. Restart your computer after the scan completes, then check your search engine settings again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Bing in Windows search affect my browser?

No. Windows search and your browser are separate. Turning off web results in Windows search only affects the search box on your taskbar. Your browser's search engine setting is independent and must be changed separately in your browser's settings.

Can I remove Bing from the address bar suggestions?

Yes. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Address bar and search, then toggle off "Search suggestions". In Chrome and Firefox, go to Settings > Search and toggle off search suggestions. This stops predicted searches from appearing as you type.

Why does Bing keep coming back after I change it?

A browser extension is likely forcing it back. Go to your Extensions or Add-ons page, remove any extension you did not intentionally install, and then change your search engine again. If Bing returns after that, run a malware scan using Windows Defender or Malwarebytes.

Is there a way to remove Bing from Windows entirely?

You cannot uninstall Bing from Windows, but you can disable web search results in Windows search by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Search permissions and toggling off "Search on the web". After that, the Windows search box will only show files and programs on your computer.

Does changing my search engine in one browser affect the others?

No. Each browser has its own search engine setting. If you use Edge, Chrome, and Firefox, you must change the search engine in each one separately. Windows search also has its own setting that is independent of all three browsers.