How to change Search Engine in Edge after latest update
- ByteSync Network
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Overview:
Microsoft Edge's latest update has made it super difficult to change your search engine now. In my version that is Ver.146.0.3856.97 for Windows, you cannot just select a different search engine other than Bing. You have to do several more complicated steps. Read our Blog to know how to change it and why I think they did this.
How to change the Search Engine:
Click the 3 dots menu in the top-right corner and head to settings.
Click privacy, search and services.
Click Search and Connected Experiences.
Click Address bar and search.
Click search engines
Click Add search engine
Enter the following details based on which engine which you want to add:
Search Engine | DuckDuckGo | Yahoo! | |
|---|---|---|---|
Search engine | DuckDuckGo | Yahoo! | |
Shortcut | g | d | y |
URL with %s in place of query | {google:baseURL}search?q=%s |
Search Engine | Ecosia | Brave Search |
|---|---|---|
Search engine | Ecosia | Brave Search |
Shortcut | e | br |
URL with %s in place of query |
Click save.
Go to the previous menu.
Then in Search engine used in the address bar, use the drop-down menu to choose your desired search engine.
Now your search engine has been changed for the address bar.
Why they did this:
Technical Reasons:
Recent updates (specifically around February/March 2026) have a known bug where the browser's Web Data file, the database that stores your search engine list gets corrupted.
When this happens, Edge forgets Google or any other engines were ever an option, forcing you to use the manual Add button.
Microsoft has moved toward a strict enforcement of OpenSearch standards. In older versions, Edge would try to guess how to search a site.
Now, it requires a precise template (%s) to ensure the browser doesn't have to interpret non-standard URLs, which can be a security and performance risk.
Edge now uses a "template-first" UI. If the input field doesn't see a query parameter (like %s or {searchTerms}), the Save button is programmed to remain inactive to prevent users from saving "broken" search engines that just lead to a homepage.
Strategic Reasons:
By disabling the "Save" button without explaining why it's grayed out, Microsoft creates a technical barrier. Most users will assume they are doing something wrong and give up, reverting to the default—Bing.
Every user who fails to switch to Google represents search ad revenue for Microsoft. By making the exit path technical and difficult, they protect their market share under the guise of security and standards.
To comply with global regulations (like the EU's DMA), Microsoft must allow you to change your search engine. By making it possible but highly technical, they technically follow the law while still discouraging the average user from actually leaving.
Conclusion:
Well, this thing wasted a lot of my time, Since I was logged out of all my accounts after this unexpected update and also had to play with some settings to get why all other search engines disappeared. Thank you for reading my Blog, I hope this helped you to switch your search engine, specifically in the address bar. You can also change your homepage, new tab to be Google or any other engine, but that's much simpler to do.
Well, that's all for this Blog, this is Noah for ByteSync Network, signing out.
07.04.2026
Thank you very, very much