How to change default search engine in Edge

Prerequisites & Requirements

• •Microsoft Edge installed (latest version recommended).
• •Windows 10 or Windows 11 operating system.
• •Administrator access may be required for certain settings.
• •Internet connection to access search engines.
• •Backup bookmarks or important data if necessary.

Method 1: Change Default Search Engine via Settings

• •Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge. Click on the three horizontal dots (menu) in the upper right corner.
• •Step 2: Select 'Settings' from the dropdown menu.
• •Step 3: In the left sidebar, click on 'Privacy, search, and services'.
• •Step 4: Scroll down to the 'Services' section and click on 'Address bar and search'.
• •Step 5: Under 'Search engines used in address bar', select the desired search engine from the dropdown list.
• •Step 6: To add a new search engine, click on 'Manage search engines', then 'Add' and fill in the required fields.
• •Step 7: Verify the change by typing a search query in the address bar and checking if the new search engine is used.
• •Step 8: If it doesn't work, repeat the steps to ensure the correct search engine is selected.

For Windows 11

• •Step 1: Open Edge and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
• •Step 2: Select 'Settings' and navigate to 'Privacy, search, and services'.
• •Step 3: Scroll to 'Address bar and search' and follow the same steps as above.

For Windows 10

• •Step 1: Open Edge and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
• •Step 2: Select 'Settings', then 'Privacy, search, and services'.
• •Step 3: Scroll down to 'Address bar and search' and follow the same steps as above.

Method 2: Change Default Search Engine via Edge Flags

• •Step 1: Type 'edge://flags' in the address bar and press Enter.
• •Step 2: Search for 'Default Search Engine' in the search box.
• •Step 3: Change the setting to 'Enabled' and restart Edge.
• •Step 4: Follow the steps in Method 1 to select your default search engine.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• •Error: 'Search engine not available' - Solution: Ensure you are connected to the internet and that the search engine is correctly configured.
• •Issue: 'Changes not saving' - Fix: Check if you have the necessary permissions or try restarting Edge.
• •Problem: 'Search still defaults to Bing' - Workaround: Clear browser cache and cookies, then repeat the steps.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

• •Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + B - Toggles the favorites bar for quick access to your preferred search engine.
• •Command line: edge://settings/search - Directly access the search settings page.
• •Hidden feature: 'Search in sidebar' - Right-click on a search result and select 'Search in sidebar' for a more efficient browsing experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Expert Tips