Changing the Search Engine on the Windows 11 Taskbar
Looking to switch up the search engine used by the Windows 11 taskbar? It’s possible, but like most things Microsoft, it’s not exactly straightforward. Essentially, you’ll set your preferred browser as the default, then tweak its settings to use your desired search engine. After a bit of fiddling, your taskbar searches should start pulling results from the engine you prefer. Just a heads-up: this isn’t a built-in feature in Windows 11, so expect to do a bit of manually configuring.
Set Your Browser as the Default
First, open the Settings app on Windows 11. Click on Apps, then choose Default apps. Find your favourite web browser—be it Chrome, Firefox, or Edge—and click Set as default. If you want links and files to always open in that browser, you’ll also need to change their associations:
- .htm, .html
- HTTP
- HTTPS
Click on each one and select your chosen browser. It’s an extra step, but it makes life a lot easier down the track.
Adjust Browser Search Settings
Next, open your browser. The settings menu might be tucked behind those three dots or lines, depending on your browser. For example, in Chrome, go to Settings > Search engine to pick your preferred options—whether that’s Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another.
If you’re a Firefox user, head to Preferences > Search. Here’s where the fun begins: choose your goto search engine, and Windows 11 will follow your lead for taskbar searches based on your browser’s choice.
Select Your Search Engine
Within those settings, you’ll see options to choose your favoured search engine. If you use a less common one, some browsers let you add a custom search engine. Typically, you’ll enter a URL pattern like:
https://www.example.com/search?q=%s
Remember, %s will be replaced by your actual search term. If you’ve done this before, it’s simple; if not, it might seem a bit tricky at first.
Save and Confirm Your Settings
Once you’ve chosen your preferred engine, save your settings. Changes usually take effect immediately, but it’s worth restarting the browser or even the Settings app to be sure. Test it out by typing a search term into the address bar—if your chosen engine kicks in, you’re all set. For example, type Windows 11 and see if the results come from your selected search provider.
Test Your Taskbar Search
Time to test the lot. Press Win + S to open the taskbar search and type something simple. If your setup was successful, the results should come from your chosen search engine. If not, double-check your browser and Windows settings—they might need a tweak.
Quick tip: Windows 11 can be a bit finicky about the search engine integration. If results aren’t as expected, your best bet is to review your browser’s default search engine settings—they’re the real control point.
Tips for Fine-Tuning Your Taskbar Search Experience
Before diving into more complex tweaks, consider what matters most in a search engine—speed, privacy, or comprehensiveness? Remember to check your browser’s settings after updates, as sometimes they reset unexpectedly. Some browsers have extensions or add-ons that can help improve your search experience, so explore those options in the Extensions or Add-ons menu. If privacy is your top priority, look into privacy-focused engines like DuckDuckGo or Startpage. These can be set as your default for even better anonymity.
If you’re comfortable with more advanced tweaks, editing the Windows Registry or using tools like Windows Search Customizer can give you more control. Just be careful—making changes without knowing exactly what you’re doing can cause more headaches than they’re worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I want to change the search engine but don’t want to use a specific browser?
To change the search engine used by the taskbar, you’ll first need to set a browser as your default. Then, in that browser’s search settings (as we discussed earlier), pick the search engine you want. Windows then uses your default browser’s settings for search queries from the taskbar.
Can I add a custom search engine that isn’t listed in my browser?
Absolutely. Both Chrome and Firefox let you manually add custom search engines. Head to Manage Search Engines or similar options and add the URL pattern, usually looking like:
https://search.example.com/?q=%s
Set it as your default, and you’re good to go.
Does changing my default browser also change other things?
Yes. When you switch your default browser, any links you click in other apps—like emails or documents—will open in that new browser, not the old one. Keep that in mind if you rely on a specific browser for certain tasks.
Can I disable the taskbar search feature altogether?
While completely removing the search box isn’t straightforward, you can hide it. Right-click your taskbar, select Taskbar settings, and toggle off Search or choose Hide search icon. For a more thorough disable, some folks use Group Policy Editor or Registry edits, but that’s a bit more advanced and should be approached with caution.
My preferred search engine isn’t working well—what now?
Double-check your browser’s settings first. Make sure it’s set correctly as your default search engine. Also, clear your browser’s cache and cookies — sometimes old data causes issues. If problems persist, try switching to a different search engine to see if results improve.
In Summary
- Set your preferred browser as the default under Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- Adjust the search engine in your browser’s settings.
- Choose or add your favourite search engine.
- Save the settings and give it a test.
- Use Win + S to try out your new setup.
The trick to customising your Windows 11 search engine mainly involves fine-tuning your browser settings. It might seem a bit tedious at first, but once set up, it makes your search experience much smoother. For those willing to go further, registry tweaks or third-party tools can unlock even more control—just proceed with caution. Who would’ve thought tweaking a search engine could be so involved? But trust me, it’s worth the effort in the end.