What Bing is and why it may be on your computer

Bing is Microsoft's search engine, and it often appears on your computer because Windows comes with it built in. If you use Microsoft Edge (the browser that comes with Windows), Bing is the default search engine. Bing may also have been installed by another program you downloaded, or it may have changed your browser settings without your knowledge during an update.

Removing Bing means changing your default search engine, removing it from your browser's search bar, and stopping it from appearing on your home page. The steps differ depending on which browser you use and whether Bing was installed by Windows itself or by another program.

Key Takeaways

  • Bing is Microsoft's default search engine in Windows and Edge, and you can change it to Google, DuckDuckGo, or another search engine in your browser settings.
  • In Microsoft Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services, scroll to Search engine, and choose a different engine from the dropdown menu.
  • In Google Chrome, go to Settings > Search engine, click the dropdown next to "Search engine used in the address bar", and select a different option.
  • If Bing appears as a toolbar or unwanted program, uninstall it through Control Panel > Programs and Features (Windows) or System Preferences > Applications (Mac).
  • If Bing keeps returning after you remove it, check your browser extensions and remove any you do not recognize, as they may be resetting your search engine.

Remove Bing as your default search engine in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge uses Bing as the default search engine. To change it, open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar.

Scroll down to the Search engine section. You will see a dropdown menu showing "Bing" as the current choice. Click the dropdown and select Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another search engine from the list. Your new choice takes effect when ready, and the search bar in Edge will now use that engine instead of Bing.

If you want to remove Bing from the search engine options entirely so it does not appear in the dropdown, scroll down further in the same settings page to Search engines used in the address bar. Find Bing in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove.

Remove Bing as your default search engine in Google Chrome

Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Search engine in the left sidebar.

Under Search engine used in the address bar, you will see a dropdown menu. Click it and select Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another engine. If Bing is not in the dropdown list, it is not your default engine and you do not need to change anything here.

If you see Bing listed under Other search engines, click the three dots next to it and select Remove from list. This prevents Bing from appearing in your search suggestions.

Remove Bing from Firefox and Safari

In Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Settings, then click Search in the left sidebar. Under Default Search Engine, click the dropdown and choose Google, DuckDuckGo, or another option. To remove Bing from the list of available engines, click the dropdown arrow next to Bing and select Remove.

In Safari on Mac, click Safari in the top menu bar, then select Settings. Click the Search tab. Under Search engine, click the dropdown and select Google, DuckDuckGo, or another option. Safari does not allow you to remove search engines from the list, but changing your default engine stops Bing from being used.

Uninstall Bing if it appears as a separate program

If Bing appears as a toolbar or standalone program on your computer, you can uninstall it. On Windows, click the Start menu, type Control Panel, and open it. Click Programs and Features (or Add or Remove Programs on newer Windows versions). Look for "Bing" or "Bing Toolbar" in the list. Click it and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to complete the removal.

On Mac, open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, and look for any Bing-related programs. Right-click the program and select Move to Trash. Empty your trash to complete the removal.

After uninstalling, restart your computer. Bing should no longer appear as a separate program, though it may still be your default search engine in your browser — follow the browser-specific steps above to change that.

Stop Bing from returning after you remove it

If Bing keeps reappearing as your default search engine after you change it, a browser extension may be resetting it. Open your browser's extension or add-on menu and look for anything you do not recognize or did not intentionally install. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu, go to Extensions, and review the list. In Edge, click the three-dot menu and select Extensions. Remove any extension that looks suspicious or unfamiliar by clicking the trash icon or Remove button.

Another cause is malware or unwanted software. Run a full scan with Windows Defender (built into Windows) or a third-party antivirus program like Malwarebytes. Restart your computer after the scan completes, then check whether Bing has returned. If it has, the scan may have found and removed the cause.

If Bing still returns, check your browser's home page and startup pages. In Chrome, go to Settings > On startup and make sure you are not set to open a page that forces Bing. In Edge, go to Settings > Start, home, and tabs and verify that your home page is not a Bing-related site.

When to call for help

If you have followed all the steps above and Bing continues to reset itself, or if you are uncomfortable uninstalling programs or editing browser settings, contact a local computer repair shop. They can scan your computer for malware, remove unwanted programs, and may support your browser is clean. This usually costs between $50 and $150 for a diagnostic and removal.

If you are not sure whether a program or extension is safe to remove, take a screenshot of its name and search for it online before deleting it. Most legitimate programs have clear descriptions of what they do, and you can decide whether you need them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing Bing slow down my computer?

No. Changing your default search engine or uninstalling Bing will not affect your computer's speed. If Bing was installed as malware or bundled with another program, removing it may actually improve performance by freeing up resources.

Can I remove Bing from Windows itself?

No. Bing is built into Windows and Microsoft Edge, and you cannot remove it from the operating system. You can only change your default search engine in your browser and remove Bing if it appears as a separate program or toolbar.

What if I want to use Bing again later?

You can switch back to Bing at any time by going to your browser settings and selecting Bing from the search engine dropdown. Removing it does not prevent you from using it in the future.

Is it safe to remove browser extensions I do not recognize?

Yes. If you did not intentionally install an extension, it is safe to remove it. Unwanted extensions are often installed without your knowledge and may reset your search engine or track your browsing. Removing them improves your privacy and security.