Make Google my default search engine

Button not working? Just switch back to your desktop. Learn how or just click Open at the bottom of the page.

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Make Google your default search engine

Search right from the address bar, wherever you go on the web.

Search right from the search box, wherever you go on the web.

Get started

Your shiny new Windows 8 operating system has tiles and apps on a Start Screen, and it has the original desktop that looks like the Windows you're used to.

To make Google your default search engine, you just need to switch from apps to the desktop.

Here two options to help you switch to the desktop:

  1. The quick way: If you see a black bar at the bottom of the screen saying "The site www.google.com uses add-ons that require Internet Explorer on the desktop", click the blue Open button to switch to desktop mode.
  2. You can also get to the desktop manually. First, make the URL bar show by hovering at the bottom of the page, or by swiping from the bottom on a touch screen. Then click on the white wrench icon and select "View on Desktop."

Now the button to make Google your search provider should work. Aww yeah.

Select the first option

Hit "Add" to complete

Select the first option

Hit "Yes" to complete

Select the first option

Hit "Add" to complete

Google Search is installed but not set as your default search provider. To default to Google, here's how you do it:

  1. Click the Tools icon at the far right of the browser window.
  2. Select Internet options.
  3. In the General tab, find the Search section and click Settings.
  4. Select Google.
  5. Click Set as default and click Close.

Step 1: Open your Search settings

Click on the Search button near the top of your browser in the middle with the magnifying glass.

Step 2: Change your preferences

At the bottom of the side panel, click on Change preferences,
and then select the fourth option, Change Internet search behavior.

Step 3: Select Google as your search engine

Highlight Google in the list below. Click the OK button to save your changes.

Step 1: Open Settings

Click on the settings icon in the upper right corner and select Settings.
A new tab will open.

Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google

In the Search section, select Google from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Change your homepage to Google

In the Appearance section, check the box next to Show Home button.
To set your homepage, click Change.
Select Open this page, and then type www.google.com in the box. Click OK.
Close the settings tab and your changes will be saved.

Learn more

Step 1: Open Settings

Click on the settings icon in the upper right corner and select Settings.
A new tab will open.

Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google

In the Search section, select Google from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Change your homepage to Google

In the Appearance section, check the box next to Show Home button.
To set your homepage, click Change.
Select Open this page, and then type www.google.com in the box. Click OK.
Close the settings tab and your changes will be saved.

Learn more

Change your search provider to Google

Click the down arrow on the left side of the search box.
Then select Google from the drop down menu.

Bonus: change your homepage to Google

Using your mouse, click and drag the blue Google icon below to the home icon located in the upper right corner of your browser.
Then click yes in the pop-up box.

...Or, change your homepage manually

Click on Firefox in the top left corner, then select Options, and then click on Options in the right menu.
Click on the General button in the top menu with the picture of a switch.
Next to When Firefox starts, open the drop down menu and select Show my home page.
Type www.google.com in the Home Page box, and click OK to save.

Learn more

Step 1: Change your search provider to Google

Click the down arrow on the left side of the search box.
Then select Google from the drop down menu.

Bonus: Change your homepage to Google

Using your mouse, click and drag the blue Google icon below to the home icon located in the upper right corner of your browser.
Then click yes in the pop-up box.

...Or, change your homepage manually

Select Firefox from the menu bar, then click on Preferences.
Type www.google.com in the Home Page box, and close the Preferences window to save.

Learn more

Step 1: Open Preferences

Click on Safari in the top Apple menu, and then select Preferences.

Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google

Next to Default search engine, click on the drop down menu and select Google.

Step 3: Change your homepage to Google

Next to New windows open with, open the drop down menu and select Homepage. Open the next drop down menu and select Homepage to see your homepage in new tabs.
Then type www.google.com into the box next to Homepage.
Your changes are saved.

Learn more

Step 1: Open Preferences

Click on Opera from the top menu and select Settings, and then Preferences.

Step 2: Edit Search settings

Click the Search button at the top of the Preferences window.
Select Google from the list, and then click the Edit button on the right.

Step 3: Change your default search engine to Google

Click the Details » button, and then check both boxes next to Use as default search engine and Use as Speed Dial search engine.
Click the OK button, and then click the next OK button in the Preferences window to save your changes.

See Google in the top right corner? You made it.

Edit preferences or settings to make Google your search provider

Oops! We can't figure out which internet browser instructions to show you. Try clicking on the name of your browser in the top menu and then selecting Preferences, Settings, or Options. Perhaps you have Tools in the top menu, and then select Internet Options.

Or try downloading Google Chrome for a fast, free browsing experience. Chrome runs websites and applications with lightning speed.

Now you can search with Google wherever you go on the web.

Easy access to Google search

Easy access to Google Search, no matter where you are on the web. Just type into the address bar.

Get smarter suggestions

Sign into Google, and see instant personalized predictions across all your devices.

Click Open below, switch to desktop, and add Google to your browser.