Step-by-step guide to set Google as your default search engine in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
When you type a search query into your browser’s address bar, the results you see depend entirely on which search engine your browser is using. If yours has switched away from Google — perhaps because of a software installation, a browser extension, or malware — this guide will show you exactly how to change it back.
In this guide I’ll show you how to:
- Set Google as the default search engine in Google Chrome
- Change the default search engine from Bing to Google in Microsoft Edge
- Set Google as the default search engine in Mozilla Firefox
- Make Google your home page in Chrome, Edge and Firefox
Most browsers will be similar to one of the three covered below, so even if you use a different browser, these steps should point you in the right direction.
Set Google as Default Search Engine in Chrome
When you first install Google Chrome, Google is set as the default search engine automatically. However, it can be changed — either intentionally, by a browser extension, by an app you’ve installed, or even by malware.
Here’s how to set Google as your default search engine in Chrome:
Step 1 – Open Chrome Settings
Click the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of Chrome, then click Settings.
Alternatively, type chrome://settings into the address bar and press Enter.
Step 2 – Open the Search Engine Settings
In the left-hand navigation panel, click Search Engine.
If the panel is collapsed, click the three horizontal lines (≡) next to “Settings” to expand it first, then click Search Engine.
Step 3 – Change the Search Engine to Google
Click the Change button to open the search engine options screen. Select Google from the list and click Set As Default.
That’s it — Google is now your default search engine in Chrome. Searches you type directly into the address bar will now use Google.
Quick Tip
The shortcut chrome://settings/search takes you directly to the search engine settings page.
Make Google Your Home Page in Chrome
Changing your search engine does not automatically change your home page or startup page. Although you could have just about any webpage as the startup page, many people (including me) prefer to have it set to Google.
Here’s how to also set Google as the page that opens when you launch Chrome:
Step 1 – Open Chrome Settings
Click the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner and click Settings, or type chrome://settings into the address bar.
Step 2 – Go to On Startup
In the left-hand panel, click On Startup.
Step 3 – Set Google As Your Startup Page
Select “Open a specific page or set of pages”.
If there is already a startup page listed, click the three dots to the right of it and select Remove.
Click Add a new page, type www.google.com into the box, and click Add.
Google will now open every time you launch Chrome.
Multiple Start Up Pages in Chrome
You can have multiple startup pages in Chrome. If you wanted to add a second, third or fourth page just click the Add new page option again and type in the address of the websites you want to add. Each page will automatically open in a separate tab whenever you start Chrome.
Adding extra start pages will make Chrome a little slower to start up because each page needs to fetched from its respective website.
Change Default Search Engine to Google in Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge uses Bing (which is Microsoft’s own search engine) as its default search engine. If you prefer to use Google, you can change it — though be aware that Edge buries this setting under several menus.
Step 1 – Open Edge Settings
Click the three horizontal dots (…) in the top-right corner, then click Settings.
Alternatively, type edge://settings into the address bar and press Enter.
Step 2 – Expand the Navigation Menu
Click the three horizontal lines (≡) in the top-left corner beside “Settings” to open the full navigation panel.
Then click “Privacy, search and services”
Step 3 – Search and Connected Experiences
Scroll down a little to click on Search and Connected Experiences. Then click Address Bar and Search.
Step 4 – Set Google as Default
Click the drop-down menu next to “Search engine used in the address bar” and select Google from the list. Restart Edge for the change to take effect.
Important note for Edge users:
Google will only be used as the search engine when you type in the address bar at the top of the window. The separate search box on the Edge new tab page will still default back to Bing.
Quick Tip
You can go directly to the Edge search settings by typing edge://settings/search into the address bar.
Make Google Your Home Page in Edge
Changing the search engine in Edge does not change the home page or start page. By default Edge opens a Microsoft Start/MSN page that contains an aggregated news feed, top stories, the weather, a Bing search bar, and personalized Quick Links to your frequently visited websites.
If you’d like Edge to start at the Google homepage follow these steps:
Step 1 – Open Edge Settings
Click the three horizontal dots (…) in the top-right corner, then click Settings.
Alternatively, type edge://settings into the address bar and press Enter.
Step 2 – Expand the Navigation Menu
Click the three horizontal lines (≡) in the top-left corner beside “Settings” to open the full navigation panel.
Then click “Start, home and new tab page”
Step 3 – Open Custom Sites
Select “Open custom sites”, and then click the Add Site button. Enter www.google.com into the box and click the Add button.
Set Google As Default Search Engine In Firefox
Firefox defaults to Google in many regions, but it can be changed. Here’s how to switch it back:
Step 1 – Open Firefox Settings
Click the three horizontal lines (≡) in the top-right corner of Firefox, then click Settings.
Step 2 – Go to Search
Click Search in the left-hand navigation panel. Depending on the version of Firefox that you have and the size of your screen, the Search option may be represented by an icon (magnifying glass).
Step 3 – Select Google
Under “Default Search Engine”, click the drop-down menu and select Google.
Restart Firefox and all searches from the address bar will now use Google.
Quick Tip
If Google doesn’t appear in the list, you may need to add it. Scroll down to the Search Shortcuts section and click “Find more search engines” to browse the Firefox add-on store for additional search engine options.
Make Google Your Home Page In Firefox
As with most other web browsers, changing the search engine doesn’t change the startup page in Firefox. If you want Firefox to open at the Google home screen follow these steps:
Step 1 – Open Firefox Settings
Click the three horizontal lines (≡) in the top-right corner of Firefox, then click Settings.
Step 2 – Custom URL
Open the “Homepage and new windows” drop down menu. Select Custom URLs. Enter www.google.com into the box provided.
Why Does My Search Engine Keep Changing?
If you find your default search engine keeps switching away from Google, here are the most common causes:
- A browser extension or add-on has been installed that modifies your search settings. Check your installed extensions and remove any you don’t recognise.
- A software installation changed your browser settings. Many free programs include an option (sometimes pre-ticked) to change your browser’s default search engine. Always use the “Custom” install option and untick any unwanted extras.
- Malware or a browser hijacker has taken over your search engine. If your search engine keeps changing back even after you reset it, run a full scan with a trusted antivirus or anti-malware tool such as Malwarebytes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
Most browsers allow you to change the default search engine in just a few steps:
- Chrome: Settings → Search Engine → Change → Google → Set As Default
- Edge: Settings → Privacy, Search and Services → Address Bar and Search → select Google
- Firefox: Settings → Search → Default Search Engine → Google
If your browser isn’t listed here, the settings will usually be found in a similar location — look for “Search” or “Search Engine” within your browser’s main Settings menu.