How to Change Default Search Engine in Internet Explorer?

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Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer used to be one of the most widespread browsing browsers globally. In recent years, however, it has severely declined in popularity. Microsoft created the browser in 1995 for use on their Windows computers, and later developed multiple versions for other devices such as Mac computers and mobile phones. Microsoft is finally discontinuing Internet Explorer support in 2021 and has already rolled out its replacement, Microsoft Edge, for Windows 10 devices. Nevertheless, Internet Explorer still has some convenient features and is a perfectly capable browser.Arguably the most significant feature of Internet Explorer is the customization options. These allow you to enhance the browser specifically for your uses. Customization features include the ability to increase or decrease text size, zoom in or out of a window, and alter the default search engine, among other things. This article will first cover how to change your default search engine in internet and discuss the best search engine alternatives to fit your needs.

Changing Internet Explorer’s Default Search Engine

The default Internet Explorer search engine, Bing, has some drawbacks that can cause people to switch search engines. It is slower when compared to other search engines, and often puts forums lower in search results. Although it does have some benefits, such as excellent video indexing, it doesn’t perform as well as other search engines.

How to Change Your Default Search Engine

After opening Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

  • Select the Tools icon, similar to a gear, in the top right-hand corner
  • Scan down the list and click Manage add-ons
  • Under Add-on Types click Search Providers
  • Select whatever search engine you want
  • Hit Set as Default and then select Close.

The Best Alternative Search Engine Options

Like any goods on the market, there are many different types of search engines. Each one has its own benefits and drawbacks that suit different needs. It can sometimes be a lot to sift through, but the next section will cover the best search engines as quickly as possible.

  • Google

This search engine is listed first because it is by far the most popular. Google provides quality search results and has an extensive catalog of websites. The search engine is very easy to use due to its intuitive interface. Google also updates frequently to provide the most accurate results and new cutting edge features. The search engine catalogs a user’s browsing routines and shares it with advertisers, meaning it doesn’t have the best security. This can be a dealbreaker for some people, while others don’t mind the lesser security. All in all, Google is a well-rounded search engine you definitely should check out.

  • Yahoo!

Yahoo is probably the second-best alternative to Internet Explorer’s default search. Yahoo offers other services such as Yahoo Finance or Yahoo Mail. It also offers a shopping search that has more features than similar solutions from other search engines. Yahoo’s biggest drawback is its undated search results, so you may not know how recently a certain article was written. This is a capable search engine, but Google is a better option.

  • DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo is another great option. It values your privacy and security much more than any other engine, and therefore doesn’t track or store any of your personal data. It has limited results for image searches, but for most people, this is a minor problem. DuckDuckGo offers similar features to every other search engine, but the strict approach to user privacy makes it a viable option.

Final Thoughts

Internet Explorer is a great browser, and you can greatly improve it by changing your default search engine. While you’re going through the options, make sure JavaScript is enabled, so you don’t miss out on any of the advanced website features! You can find more information about enabling JavaScript on this site.