How To Change Default Search Engine In Internet Explorer

Have you ever noticed whenever you type any text or a search term (not a website) in your web browser, the search is carried out by the default search engine?

Say you search for ‘tech support’ in the address bar/web browser…

search windows 10

If Bing is the default search engine, this is what your search results will look like. But what if you want to use Google or Yahoo?

default browser

When you try to install a different search provider in the web browser, you might get an error message saying “The search provider could not be installed” and this error message looks like this.

change default search provider

This problem can be resolved by following these steps.

Step 1: Press windows +R key and type inetcpl.cpl in run window. It will open Internet properties window.

Step 2: Go to programs tab in internet properties and click on Manage add-ons.

change home page in internet explorer

Step 3: This will open “Manage add-on” windows. In this window, select “Search Properties” and then click on “Find more search providers”

manage search option in IE

Step 4: A new window will open, click on Google Search (or on any search engine you want to set as default search provider).

add search engine in IE

Step 5: Click on Add (against Google in this case). A pop up appears. Check Make this my default search provider.

Step 6: Click on add. This will make Google your default search provider.

If nothing happens after clicking Google Search press F12 and the Developer Tools will appear in the bottom of the window.

(A) Scroll to the bottom of the Developer Tools window and click on the monitor and smartphone icon.

(B) You will find numbers in the drop down list. Click on 10. After this, the page will reload.

(C) Now click on add button in front of google search and you will be able to make it your default search provider.

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