Type a query into Explorer, IOS 7 or Firefox’s URL search bar and you’ll be taken to Bing’s unfamiliar grey and yellow search page. Chances are you’ll then head back to the search bar and type in Google’s URL with a small cloud of frustration hanging over your head. In this handy 5-step guide, we’ll teach you how to change your default search engine on Internet Explorer, to ease such frustration.
It stands to reason that Bing would be the default search engine of choice for both Microsoft and Apple, considering Microsoft own it and Apple have a fairly spiky rivalry with Google at the moment, but browser-battles aside, most of us prefer Google as our primary search engine. Thankfully, it’s not that difficult to put right, here’s how.
How to change search engine on internet explorer: step one
Firstly, click on the small cog icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen and then select ‘Manage Add-ons’ from the drop-down menu.
How to change search engine on internet explorer: step two
Click on the ‘Search Providers’ button to the left-hand side of the Manage Add-ons window. It’s here that you’ll choose your default search engine, but it’s highly likely that the search engine of your choice won’t be there and you’ll have to search for it yourself so click on the ‘Find more search providers’ icon at the bottom left-hand side of the window.
How to change search engine on internet explorer: step three
You’ll be taken to a list of search providers, find and click on the one you want.
How to change search engine on internet explorer: step four
You’ll now taken to a new page, click on the ‘Add to Internet Explorer’ button.
How to change search engine on internet explorer: step five
Your chosen search engine should have been added to the list in the Manage Add-ons window. Click to highlight it and then click on the ‘Set as default’ button in the bottom-right hand corner of the screen.
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