By default, Internet Explorer uses Bing as the default search engine. We like Bing and we think that it delivers useful search results. However, you may feel differently, and you want to change Bing, with Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo or another search engine. Here's how to switch from Bing to another search engine, in Internet Explorer:
How search works in Internet Explorer
In Internet Explorer, searches are performed using the address bar. Type your keyword(s) in the address bar and the default search engine for Internet Explorer, provides suggestions as you type.
When you press Enter, the default search engine is loaded, and it displays the appropriate search result. If you haven't changed its configuration Internet Explorer uses Bing for search.
How to change Bing with Google, Yahoo, and so on, as the default search engine for Internet Explorer
Microsoft has created a small gallery of add-ons that you can install for Internet Explorer. Some of these add-ons are search engines that you can use in this browser. Go to the Internet Explorer Gallery and see the few options that you have available. You will see that you can install only: Google, Yahoo, Wikipedia, eBay, GraysOnline, and The-Arena.
The process for installing any of them as your default search engine is the same. We assume that you want to use Google, so click or tap the Add button near Google Search. Internet Explorer displays a prompt asking you to confirm if you wish to add this search provider. Choose Add and you are done.
Google or the search engine you selected is now used as the default for all your searches, straight from the address bar.
How to install DuckDuckGo or another search engine, in Internet Explorer
The method shared earlier works only for a tiny number of search engines. You may want to add another search engine as the default, like DuckDuckGo. Visit the search engine. If you are lucky, you may see a prompt saying to add that search engine to Internet Explorer. In the case of DuckDuckGo, click or tap "Add DuckDuckGo to IE."
This takes you to a page with instructions. Scroll a bit, until you see a button that says "Add DuckDuckGo as a search engine."
Click or tap on this button. You are asked to confirm that you want to add it as a search provider. Press Add.
DuckDuckGo or the other search engine you chose is now installed as the default search engine for Internet Explorer.
How to get back to Bing as the default search engine for Internet Explorer
Let's assume that you have used another search engine like Google for a while and you want to get back to Bing, as the default for Internet Explorer. To do that, click or tap on the Tools button in the top-right corner. It looks like a cog wheel. Then, choose "Manage add-ons."
The Manage Add-ons window opens. Here, choose "Search Providers" in the Add-on Types list, on the left. Then, choose Bing in the list on the right, and click or tap "Set as default." For the last step, press Close and you are done.
Which search engine do you use in Internet Explorer?
Unfortunately, the list of search engines that can be used in Internet Explorer is a lot smaller than for other web browsers. However, this guide should have helped in this regard. Before you close it, let us know which search engine you are using as the default in this browser. Comment below and let's talk.
