Why and how to uninstall Bing search and browser components

Bing comes bundled with Windows and can appear as your default search engine, homepage, or as a standalone app. You can remove it entirely, disable it as your default search engine, or uninstall specific Bing apps depending on what's installed on your machine and what bothers you most. The steps differ slightly between Windows 10, Windows 11, and older versions, and between removing Bing Search, the Bing app, or just changing your default search engine in your browser.

Most people want to either switch their default search engine away from Bing or remove the Bing app from their taskbar. Full removal of Bing components from Windows itself is possible but requires system-level changes. This guide covers all three approaches so you can choose what fits your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your default search engine in any browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox) without uninstalling anything—this is the fastest fix if Bing searches annoy you.
  • The Bing app can be uninstalled like any other Windows app through Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, or by right-clicking it on your taskbar.
  • Removing Bing as your Windows search engine requires changing settings in Windows Search or using third-party tools, since Microsoft does not offer a built-in uninstall option.
  • If you use Microsoft Edge, you can change the search engine in Edge settings without touching Windows-level Bing components.
  • Bing may reinstall after major Windows updates, so you may need to repeat these steps periodically.

Change your default search engine in your browser

This is the fastest solution if Bing searches are your main complaint. Every browser lets you pick a different default search engine—Google, DuckDuckGo, or another option—so Bing never runs when you search from the address bar.

In Microsoft Edge: Click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services. Under "Search engine" choose your preferred engine from the dropdown. Edge will remember this choice.

In Google Chrome: Click the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Search engine. Click the dropdown under "Search engine used in the address bar" and pick a different option. If your preferred engine is not listed, click "Manage search engines," find it in the list, and click the three dots next to it, then "Make default."

In Firefox: Click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select Settings, then Search. Under "Default Search Engine" choose from the dropdown list. Firefox includes Google, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, and others by default.

Uninstall the Bing app from Windows

If you see a Bing app icon on your taskbar or in your Start menu, you can remove it like any other program. This does not affect Bing search in your browser or Windows Search results.

On Windows 11: Right-click the Bing app icon on your taskbar or in your Start menu and select "Uninstall." Windows will ask you to confirm. Alternatively, open Settings, go to Apps > Apps & Features, search for "Bing," and click the three dots next to it, then "Uninstall."

On Windows 10: Right-click the Bing app and select "Uninstall," or open Settings, go to Apps > Apps & Features, find Bing in the list, click it, and select "Uninstall."

If the Bing app does not appear in your Apps & Features list, it may already be uninstalled or it may be a built-in component that cannot be removed through Settings. In that case, you can straightforward ignore it or pin a different app to your taskbar instead.

Remove Bing from Windows Search results

Windows Search (the search box in your taskbar) can show Bing results alongside local files. You cannot fully uninstall Bing from Windows, but you can disable web results so Windows Search only shows files on your computer.

On Windows 11: Open Settings, go to Privacy & security > Search permissions. Toggle off "Search online and include web results." Windows Search will now only show files and apps on your device, not Bing web results.

On Windows 10: Open Settings, go to Privacy & Security > Search permissions. Under "Searching Windows" toggle off "Search online and include web results in my search results." This removes Bing results from the taskbar search box.

After you make this change, searching from the Windows taskbar will no longer contact Bing or show web results. Local file searches will still work normally.

Disable Bing in Microsoft Edge

If you use Microsoft Edge as your browser, you can prevent Bing from appearing in the new tab page and search suggestions.

Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to "Search engine" and make sure it is set to your preferred engine, not Bing. Then scroll to "Address bar and search settings" and toggle off "Show search suggestions" if you want to stop seeing Bing suggestions as you type.

You can also change your homepage away from Bing. In the same Settings menu, go to Appearance and toggle off "Show home button," or set it to a blank page or a different website.

What to do if Bing reinstalls after a Windows update

Major Windows updates sometimes restore Bing components or reset your default search engine back to Bing. If this happens, repeat the steps above—change your browser's default search engine again, uninstall the Bing app again, or toggle off web results in Windows Search again.

You can reduce how often this happens by keeping Windows up to date with the latest patches, which sometimes include fixes that prevent Bing from reinstalling. Check Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click "Check for updates" to see if any are waiting.

When to call for help

If you cannot find the Bing app in your Apps & Features list, or if toggling off web results in Windows Search does not work, your computer may have a browser hijacker or unwanted software installed. In that case, run a full antivirus scan using Windows Defender (built into Windows) or a third-party antivirus tool. If the scan finds nothing and Bing behavior continues, a local computer repair shop can investigate further.

Do not read tools that claim to "remove Bing permanently" from unknown websites—many of these are themselves unwanted software. Stick to the built-in Windows settings and your browser settings, which are safe and reversible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely remove Bing from Windows?

No, Bing is integrated into Windows and cannot be fully uninstalled through normal means. However, you can disable web results in Windows Search, change your browser's default search engine, and uninstall the Bing app. For most users, these steps remove Bing from daily use.

Will removing Bing affect my computer's performance?

No. Uninstalling the Bing app or disabling web results in Windows Search will not slow down your computer or cause any problems. Your system will run the same as before.

What if I want to use Bing again later?

You can always switch your default search engine back to Bing in your browser settings, or re-enable web results in Windows Search. These changes are reversible and take less than a minute.

Does uninstalling Bing remove it from Outlook or Microsoft 365?

No. Bing in Outlook, Microsoft 365, or other Microsoft services is separate from the Bing app or search engine on your computer. Removing Bing from Windows does not affect those services.

Why does Bing keep coming back after I uninstall it?

Windows updates sometimes reinstall Bing components or reset your default search engine. If this happens repeatedly, repeat the uninstall or search engine change steps. You can also check Windows Update settings to see if you can defer updates temporarily while you investigate.