Uninstalling Bing from Windows 11 might sound like a hassle, but honestly, it’s not as complicated as it seems. Sometimes, Bing sneaks in as a default search provider or even part of certain system features, especially if you’re running a fresh setup or a customized build. The goal here is to get rid of that constant reminder that Bing is lurking in the background, whether it’s as your default search engine or integrated into some system apps. So, here’s a breakdown of some methods that worked on a few different setups, because, of course, Windows likes to make this kind of thing a little tricky.
How to Uninstall Bing on Windows 11
Removing Bing can make your system a bit cleaner, especially if you’re tired of it popping up when you search or just want a more streamlined experience. Follow these steps to really kick Bing out of your system, or at least suppress it.
Method 1: Remove via Optional Features (if Bing is listed)
This is the easiest route if Bing was installed as an optional feature. It’s kind of weird, 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.
- Navigate to Apps, then click Optional Features.
- In the list, look for anything related to Bing, like Bing Search or similar. If you see it, click on it and hit Uninstall.
- After uninstalling, restart your PC just to be sure it takes effect.
This helps because it removes the optional component that might be tied into Windows Search or other features, reducing Bing’s footprint. On some systems, this actually works flawlessly, but others might still have Bing perks elsewhere that need more drastic action.
Method 2: Use PowerShell Command (more aggressive)
This one’s kinda the ‘nuclear option,’ but it works pretty well once you get used to it. It’s why you see so many guides recommending PowerShell for full removal—because it’s powerful and bypasses some of those UI restrictions.
Open PowerShell with admin privileges – right-click the Start menu, select Windows PowerShell (Admin). Then, run this command:
Get-AppxPackage *Bing* | Remove-AppxPackageThis command searches for all Bing-related app packages and removes them. Sometimes, you have to run it twice or restart afterward. You might notice Bing-related apps vanish, and that’s because they’re now uninstalled from your user profile. But beware—since Windows can sometimes restore these after updates or reboots, so it’s not foolproof. Still, it’s a decent start.
On one setup it worked pretty straightforward, on another, it needed a reboot or a second run. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary. If you want to be more thorough, consider running this command for the system-wide packages too, but that’s more advanced.
Method 3: Disable Bing in Edge (if that’s your concern)
If the issue is with Bing showing up in your Microsoft Edge browser or search bar, you can disable or change the default search engine in Edge settings:
- Open Edge and go to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services.
- Scroll down to Address Bar and Search.
- Set Search engine used in the address bar to something like Google or DuckDuckGo.
- Click on Manage search engines to remove Bing entirely if needed.
This won’t uninstall Bing OS-wide but stops it from being the default in your browser.
Extra tips
- Yeah, creating a system restore point before messing with these settings isn’t a bad idea – better safe than sorry, especially with PowerShell. You never know when you might mess up a command.
- If Bing doesn’t show up in Optional Features or isn’t removable via PowerShell, it might be embedded deeper into 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, so you’re not relying on Bing anyway – easier than fighting Windows into submission.
- Be super careful with commands and tweaks, because an incorrect PowerShell command can mess things up or cause other weird issues.
- And don’t forget to check for updates afterward. Sometimes, Windows reverts or re-installs Bing after big updates.
FAQs
Can I reinstall Bing later if I change my mind?
Yup, you can add Bing back through Optional Features or reinstall via the Microsoft Store if needed.
Will removing Bing break anything else?
Usually, no. But some apps or features that depend on Bing might stop working properly, especially Windows Search or Tasks that rely on Bing data.
How to 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 the default from their respective search engine settings. It’s straightforward and quick.
Be careful with PowerShell commands, right?
Exactly. They’re powerful, but a typo can mess things up. Always copy-paste carefully, and if you’re unsure, just stop and research the command first.
Can I just remove Bing from Edge only?
Definitely. Just go into Edge’s settings and switch the default search engine, or disable Bing from the address bar. That way, your OS stays intact, but your browser favors your preferred engine.
Summary
- Open Settings and head to Apps > Optional Features.
- Remove Bing if it’s listed there.
- Use PowerShell for a more thorough cleanup if needed.
- Switch search engines in your browser to avoid Bing in your daily browsing.
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours messing around. Just something that worked on multiple machines, and now, maybe it’ll help you too.