How to Change Internet Explorer's Default Search Engine Setting

If you frequently use Internet Explorer to browse the web, then you may know that it has a search engine bar located after its toolbar. When you install Internet Explorer, the search engine comes installed with Live Search as the only, and thus the default, search engine. However, you can change this to best suit your needs by adding additional search engines that include staples such as Yahoo! and Google as well as more refined searches of the New York Times, Amazon and Wikipedia.

Things You'll Need

• Internet Explorer

Instructions

1. Install and update Internet Explorer, if you have not done so already.

2. 

   Click on the Search Options button in the upper right hand corner of the screen at the end of the Navigation toolbar. Select "Find More Providers."

3. 

   Once you arrive at the Add-ons Gallery: Visual Search, browse through the selections and decide which search providers you wish to install.

4. 

   Click on the button that says "Add to Internet Explorer" to add the search provider to Internet Explorer.

5. 

   A pop-up will appear that asks you if you want to install that search provider. If you know you want to make that search provider your default search engine, click on the box next to "Make this my default search provider." Otherwise, leave it unchecked. Then, click "Add."

6. 

   Once you have added on any additional search providers, click on the Search Options button again. This time, select "Manage Search Providers."

7. 

   Highlight the search engine you wish to set as the default and click on the "Set as Default" button in the lower right hand corner of the box.