Change from Bing to Google in Internet Explorer

Q I have installed Internet Explorer 8 as it was part of a bundle of updates for Windows XP. I normally use Google for searching the web but if I enter a word in the search box in the top right, the results come from Bing rather than Google.

If I want to search with Google, I have to visit the home page first and then enter my search into the box. How can I change the browser’s search engine?

Michael Ratcliffe

A Software companies often set the default options in their applications to direct you to use more of their own products, rather then those of rivals. Bing is Microsoft’s search engine so by default Internet Explorer 8 searches with Bing.

Other companies such as Google and Apple are guilty of the same crime. If you install certain Apple software, for example iTunes, it suggests you ‘update’ your PC with more software from the same company (including Apple’s own Safari web browser).

To add Google as a search provider, use the Internet Explorer web browser to add a Google Search Suggestions add-on. Click the ‘Add to Internet Explorer’ button and you will be asked if you wish to add Google as a search provider.

Tick the box to make Google the default search engine, then click Add. Now the logo in the search box should be for Google rather than Bing.

If you have already added Google but the browser’s search box is still using Bing, you need to switch your default search engine from Bing to Google. Click the arrow next to the search box, and choose Manage Search Providers from the dropdown menu. Select Search Providers on the left, click on Google, then click on the Set As Default button.

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