How to Delete a Default Search Engine

If you're like most Americans, you use the Internet on a regular basis and probably have your own favorite search engine. There is nothing more annoying than having your Web browser default to some other search engine you hate. In a perfect world, your computer would know and remember your favorite search engine, and you would not have to constantly change your settings. Well, a perfect world isn't that far away. With a few simple tricks, you can delete that annoying default search engine in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet access

Instructions

1. Log onto the Internet from your computer using Internet Explorer version 7 or 8.

2. Click on the “Tools” menu from the toolbar in your Web browser. A menu will drop down. Click “Internet Options.” A new window will open.

3. Look for the section in this window which reads “Search.” Under it, you will see the statement “Change search defaults.” Click the “Settings” button to the right of this statement. A new window will open.

4. This window will have a section titled “Search Providers:” with a white box below it. You will see your default search engine in this box with the words “Default” next to it. Click on the default search engine to highlight it.

5. Click the “Remove” button. You have now successfully deleted your default search engine.

References

• Ask Dave Taylor: How do I change the default search engine
• Red Chaos: Set Google as the default search engine (URL Search)
• Lyte Byte 91:How to make Bing as default search engine in IE, Firefox and use in Windows 7?