How to restore Search Box to use Google, not Bing?

Griffin · Jun 25, 2023

Windows 11 Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.1848)

The search box on the Start Menu has always been set to search with Google. Recently it changed to Bing. I assume Microsoft did this in an update. I want to change it back to Google. I don't want Bing. I have set MS Edge default search to Google, but can't work out how to get the Search Box back to Google. I did come across a method which used Edge Deflector but apparently this has been blocked by Microsoft.

Ed Tittel · Jun 25, 2023

Perhaps this other EF thread might be helpful? See Stop Bing taking over..
If that's not useful, ask more questions, please.
HTH,
--Ed--

Griffin · Jun 26, 2023

Ed Tittel said:
Perhaps this other EF thread might be helpful? See Stop Bing taking over..
If that's not useful, ask more questions, please.
HTH,
--Ed--

I had looked at that thread. I couldn't see anything about how to change the search engine in the search box. I tried some of it, It does tell you how to do other things with the search box but not how to change the search engine.

I want to change the actual search engine to google in the actual search box. I haven't found anything which gives a method despite searching extensively for how to do it. Surely MS can't force one to use Bing?

Fourthcar · Jun 26, 2023

Hi Griffin,

Just seen your thread...Simple answer ...Use Mozilla Firefox instead.

I have stopped using Edge for the same reason and other issues and maybe Microsoft has decided to change something with regular updates as they want users of Edge to use Bing and i have used other search engines listed in Edge but after using say Google for searches and restart my pc the search engine goes back to Bing.

I have been using Mozilla Firefox for years now without any major problems.

OAT · Jun 26, 2023

Griffin said:
I had looked at that thread. I couldn't see anything about how to change the search engine in the search box. I tried some of it, It does tell you how to do other things with the search box but not how to change the search engine.

I want to change the actual search engine to google in the actual search box. I haven't found anything which gives a method despite searching extensively for how to do it. Surely MS can't force one to use Bing?

Same here, ended up removing the Bing Search icon.
It is not the result I wanted but at least I don't get to use Bing.

OAT · Jun 26, 2023

Fourthcar said:
Hi Griffin,

Just seen your thread...Simple answer ...Use Mozilla Firefox instead.

I have stopped using Edge for the same reason and other issues and maybe Microsoft has decided to change something with regular updates as they want users of Edge to use Bing and i have used other search engines listed in Edge but after using say Google for searches and restart my pc the search engine goes back to Bing.

I have been using Mozilla Firefox for years now without any major problems.

Hi @Fourthcar
No one is talking about browsers here, we are asking about Search Engines and in this case, from the Search Menu within the OS.

Griffin · Jun 26, 2023

OAT said:
Same here, ended up removing the Bing Search icon.
It is not the result I wanted but at least I don't get to use Bing.

@OAT How did you remove the Bing search icon?

OAT · Jun 26, 2023

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"DisableSearchBoxSuggestions"=dword:00000001

By adding the policy above.
I really think that should do it. And it does.

Griffin · Jun 26, 2023

OAT said:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"DisableSearchBoxSuggestions"=dword:00000001

By adding the policy above.
Another one is needed, give me a few.

@OAT Sorry, don't understand "Another one is needed, give me a few" - what exactly do you want me to give you?

OAT · Jun 26, 2023

Griffin said:
@OAT Sorry, don't understand "Another one is needed, give me a few" - what exactly do you want me to give you?

@Griffin
I meant ''Give me a few minutes to double-check.'
That's all you need, tested the reg entry by changing 0 to 1 and back to 0 again.
Explorer needs to be restarted : tskill explorer <enter>

Before:

After:

Griffin · Jun 26, 2023

@OAT
I rebooted. It works, except unlike yours I don't get the "type here to search" box at the top of the results. Have to go back and type in taskbar box if want to change search.

I don't know what search engine it is using, but it seems to work fine.

Thanks!