The Chromium-based Edge browser displays a search box on the new tab page. The search box uses Microsoft’s Bing as its default search engine, and it cannot be changed to any other search engine.
Up until now, users could change only the address bar search engine in the Edge browser. There was no option to change the new tab page search box search engine. Many users were not happy with this as most users prefer using Google over the default Bing search engine in Edge.
Luckily, Microsoft has listened to feedback. Edge now offers an option to change the new tab page search box search engine.
IMPORTANT: The option to change the Edge new tab page search box’s search engine is presently available in Edge Canary 82.0.457.0 and later builds. If you are running a stable or Beta build of Edge, you might need to wait for few weeks to get this new option.
Change search engine of the new tab page search box in Edge
Complete the given below directions to change the Chromium-based Edge browser new tab page search engine.
Step 1: In the Edge address bar, type edge://settings/search and then hit the Enter key to quickly navigate to the Privacy and services /Address bar page.
Alternatively, you can open the Edge settings page, click Privacy and services, scroll down the page, and then click Address bar to open the same page.
Step 2: Here, select your preferred search engine (like Google or DuckDuckGo) from the drop-down box next to the Search engine used in the address bar option. Picking a different search engine other than the default Bing reveals the hidden Search on new tabs uses search box or address bar option. Here, select the Address bar option to change the new tab page search box search engine.
NOTE: If your preferred search engine is not in the list, click the Manage search engines option (shows up on the same page) and then click the Add button. Add details about the search engine (like its name and URL) to add your favorite search engine to the list.
Note that, as of now, you cannot set a different search engine for Edge address bar and new tab page search box. That is, for instance, you cannot set Google for address bar search and DuckDuckGo for the new tab page search box.
Captain "A" says
the latest update removed the Preview of office files in windows file explorer, Changed my folder views, changed microsoft edge setup, and broke the network sharing AGAIN. Not everyone wants all there shared files to be available out there on a server (cloud) that they have no control over. A local secured network where peers work together in the same building/office should be able to share files with each other without putting them out on the internet. This used to be easy to do, now even when I get it to work next time I turn on the computer it is broke again and so another day shot troubleshooting to get it to work again. Stop trying to control everything and stick to providing options to the clients to make their computers better tools instead a monkeywrench in the workplace. Please.
Captain "A" says
Microsoft is going to loose out entirely if anyone dares to provide an competitive OS. Microsoft changes the settings with every update and I just don’t have time to spend a half day or even a full day sometimes to get my computer back to where it was before the update. STOP messing with the settings!!!!!!!!!!! AND stop removing the ability to customize the computer. Just because you OS programmers like to have it one way doesn’t mean we all do! It’s ok to add features but don’t fry the old features in doing so and let us decide which ones to use!!!!! Otherwise don’t mess with the setup options. I don’t like bing and won’t use it so make it an option to load. That way we can have it our way.
Russ says
This recommendation does not work on my system. Just another monopolistic attempt to trick us into using Bing so Microsoft can mine our search data.
Marg says
It does not open the search engine page (Bing) when I open a new tab. Instead, I get the same crap that Edge defaults to. I have entered bing numerous times in the settings as shown above under the search bar setting. What a forkin joke. I’ve tried the new tab page as well to no avail. Edge sucks. And this is precisely why I go back to Firefox. Firefox is easier to program. Microsoft has made changing settings so forkin difficult that it’s not worth the aggravation. That I believe is INTENTIONAL. They don’t want to relinquish control. Loathe Edge! Going back to Mozilla or switching to an entirely new browser. This is not worth the frustration.