Uninstalling Bing from Windows 11 might seem like a bit of a hassle, but honestly, it’s not as tricky as you might think. Sometimes, Bing sneaks in as the default search provider or even becomes part of some system features, especially if you’re fresh out of the box or have a customised build. The goal here is to get rid of that nagging feeling that Bing is lurking in the background, whether it’s as your default search engine or embedded into some apps. So, here’s a breakdown of some methods that have worked on different setups because, of course, Windows likes to make these things a bit tricky.
How to Uninstall Bing on Windows 11
Removing Bing can give your system a cleaner look, especially if you’re over it showing up when you search or just want a smoother experience. Follow these steps to really kick Bing out of your system, or at least keep it on the back burner.
Method 1: Remove via Optional Features (if Bing’s listed)
This is the easiest way if Bing was installed as an optional feature. It’s a bit odd, but sometimes Windows does list parts of Bing here, like Bing Search or Bing Web Search.
- Open Settings – click the Start button or press Windows + I.
- Go to Apps, then click Optional Features.
- Look through the list for anything related to Bing, like Bing Search or similar. If you find it, click on it and hit Uninstall.
- Once done, restart your PC just to make sure everything’s tidy.
This helps because it cuts out the optional bit that might be tied into Windows Search or other features, making Bing less prominent. Sometimes it works flawlessly, but other times, Bing might still pop up elsewhere and need a bit more work.
Method 2: Use PowerShell Command (a bit more ‘nuclear’)
This is kinda the ‘big guns’ option, but it does the trick once you get the hang of it. You’ll see a lot of guides recommending PowerShell for a full tidy-up—because it’s powerful and skips some of those UI restrictions.
Open PowerShell with admin rights – right-click the Start button, choose Windows PowerShell (Admin). Then, run this command:
Get-AppxPackage *Bing* | Remove-AppxPackageThis searches for all Bing-related apps and removes them. Sometimes, you might need to run it twice or reboot your PC after. You’ll notice Bing apps disappear, which means they’re gone from your user profile. But heads up—Windows can sometimes reinstall them during updates or reboots, so it’s not 100% foolproof. Still, it’s a good start.
On some setups, it worked a treat right away; on others, a reboot or a second run was needed. Because, of course, Windows likes to make things a bit more complicated. If you’re feeling confident, you can also run this for system-wide packages, but that’s a bit more advanced.
Method 3: Disable Bing in Edge (if that’s the issue)
If Bing keeps popping up in your Edge browser or search bar, you can switch off or change the default search engine:
- Open Edge and go to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services.
- Scroll down to Address Bar and Search.
- Change Search engine used in the address bar to Google, DuckDuckGo, or whatever you prefer.
- Click on Manage search engines to remove Bing entirely if you like.
This won’t uninstall Bing from your system entirely, but it stops it from being your default in the browser.
Extra tips
- Yeah, it’s a good idea to set a system restore point before messing with these settings—just in case something goes awry, especially with PowerShell. Better safe than sorry, mate.
- If Bing doesn’t show up in Optional Features or can’t be removed via PowerShell, it might be buried deeper in the system—then, some registry tweaks or third-party tools (like Winaero Tweaker) could help.
- Also, switch your default search engine in your browser first; you don’t want to rely on Bing in the first place—makes life easier.
- Be super careful with commands and tweaks, because an incorrect PowerShell command can cause issues or weird bugs.
- And don’t forget to check for updates after making changes. Sometimes, Windows reverts or reinstalls Bing after big updates.
FAQs
Can I reinstall Bing later if I change my mind?
Absolutely. You can add Bing back through Optional Features or even reinstall it via the Microsoft Store if needed.
Will removing Bing stuff up anything else?
Generally, no. But some apps or features that rely on Bing might stop working right—like Windows Search or other tasks that need Bing data.
How do I change the default search engine in my browser?
Most browsers let you do this in their settings. In Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, you can pick your default search engine from their options. Easy as.
Be careful with PowerShell commands, hey?
You bet. They’re powerful but a typo can cause headaches. Always copy-paste carefully, and if you’re unsure about a command, do a bit of research first.
Can I just remove Bing from Edge only?
Sure can. Just go into Edge’s settings and change the default search engine, or disable Bing from the address bar. Your OS stays intact, but your browser will use your preferred engine.
Summary
- Open Settings and go to Apps > Optional Features.
- Remove Bing if it’s listed there.
- Use PowerShell for a more thorough cleanup if needed.
- Switch your search engine in the browser to avoid Bing showing up daily.
Hopefully, this saves you a bit of a headache. It’s worked on a few different machines, and maybe it’ll do the same for you.