How to force Start menu search to use Google on Windows 10

Use this workaround to use Google instead of Bing for search results using the Start menu search on Windows 10.

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@Pureinfotech
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Use Google instead of Bing on Start menu search on Windows 10
Use Google instead of Bing on Start menu search on Windows 10

On Windows 10, the search experience is a handy feature to find apps, files, and a web results quickly from the Start menu. Unfortunately, the experience uses Bing as the default search engine and Microsoft Edge as the default browser to display search results, and you can’t change these settings.

However, if you prefer Google as your search engine and Chrome as your browser, you can use Search Deflector to change the search behavior on Windows 10. The app is an open source project designed to redirect searches you make using Cortana or Start menu to any browser and search engine you like.

In this guide, you’ll learn a workaround to use Google as the default search for queries you type in the Start menu search, and use Google Chrome as the default web browser.

How to use Google instead of Bing when using search on Windows 10

To use Google and Chrome for searches on the Start menu, use these steps:

Warning: You’ll be downloading and installing a third-party tool, which is offered as-is. Although the tool works as advertised, use it at your own risk. It’s always recommended to create a backup of your computer before making system changes.

  1. Download Search Deflector from GitHub. (Click the latest SearchDeflector-Installer.exe download link.)

  2. Double-click the file to start the installation.

  3. If you get a Windows protected your PC warning, click the More info link, and then click the Run anyway button.

    Windows 10 installation warning
    Windows 10 installation warning

  4. Continue with the traditional “next,” “next,” “next,” “next,” “install,” installation sequence.

  5. Type 2 in the “Selection” prompt to use Google Chrome as the default browser to show search results and press Enter.

  6. Type Y and press Enter to confirm.

    Set Chrome as default browser for Start menu search results
    Set Chrome as default browser for Start menu search results

  7. Type 7 in the “Selection” prompt to use Google as the default search engine for Windows 10 search and press Enter.

  8. Type Y and press Enter to confirm.

    Set Google as default search engine for Start menu searches
    Set Google as default search engine for Start menu searches

  9. Press Enter to close the setup.

  10. Click the Finish button.

Once you’ve completed the steps, every time you perform a search using the Start menu, Google Chrome will open and show the results using Google’s search engine.

The only caveat using Search Deflector is that search results within the Start menu will continue to show using Bing.

If you want to revert the changes, just uninstall the tool from Settings > Apps > Apps & features, selecting Search Deflector, and click the Uninstall button.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].