If you prefer Google to Bing as your default search engine, you can uninstall it from your Windows computer or web browser in just a few steps. Bing is often used as a replacement for Google, however, it is not uncommon for malware and software of dubious origin to forcefully install it on a machine. To uninstall it, you can remove the program or virus causing the problem and then return to your browser's default settings. Note that it is not possible to disable Bing from Cortana.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: run Windows Defender
Step 1. Go to the start menu
At the bottom left of your screen, click on the Windows logo.
Step 2. Open Windows Defender
In the start menu, type
windows defender then select Windows Defender at the top of search results.
Step 3. Click Virus and Threat Protection
This tab is located at the top left of the window.
- First click on ☰ at the top left of the window if you don't see this tab.
Step 4. Select Scan Now
It's the gray button in the middle of the page. Click on it to start scanning your computer for malware.
Step 5. Wait for the scan to finish
The scan typically takes 10 minutes and allows Windows Defender to remove any malware it finds.
Follow the on-screen instructions if you are asked to confirm deletion of programs or files found by the program
Step 6. Start an advanced scan
If Windows Defender does not find any viruses, run a deeper scan using the Run a new advanced scan.
- Under the button Analyze Now, click on Run a new advanced scan.
- Check the box Full analysis.
- Select Analyze Now.
- Follow any instructions or directions on the screen.
Part 2 of 6: Uninstall Bing
Step 1. Know how this step works
Some software may download additional programs or additional toolbars that modify browser settings. Although Bing is not a program per se, these software may install it instead of your home page or default search engine and even if you change your browser settings, they will still reinstall Bing..
- Usually, you will only have to uninstall the programs, applications or toolbars that you have installed before you see Bing appear to resolve the problem.
- If Bing has only recently appeared on your browser, it means the problem is with the last program you installed.
Step 2. Open the start menu
At the bottom left of the taskbar, click on the Windows logo or press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard to open the start menu.
Step 3. Go to Settings
On the left in the start menu, click on the cogwheel icon. The settings window will open.
Step 4. Select Applications
This option is found in the settings window and allows you to display the list of applications installed on your machine.
Step 5. Sort the applications by date
Expand the menu next to the header sort by (you will see name default) then select installation date. Programs recently installed on your computer will appear at the top of the list.
If Bing has been squatting on your computer for a while, this step won't help
Step 6. Try to find the malware
There are no specific criteria for malware, but you can, for example, look for toolbars or apps that you don't think you have installed. Some programs are also known to install Bing.
- Babylon
- Bing Bar
- Bing.Vc
- Bing Protect
- Led
- Search Module
- Search Protect
Step 7. Select a program
Click on the program you want to uninstall to display more options.
Step 8. Choose Uninstall
You will find this option under the name of the program you have selected.
Step 9. Click Uninstall
When prompted, click Uninstall to confirm your choice and start uninstalling the program. To see if the issue is resolved, try changing your default search engine after uninstalling.
- Depending on the program selected, you may need to go through an uninstall wizard.
- If changing your browser's default search engine doesn't solve the problem, you'll need to uninstall another program or adjust your browser's shortcut options.
Part 3 of 6: adjust browser shortcut
Step 1. Find your browser shortcut
It should be on your desktop. If not, this step will not help you.
This method does not apply to Microsoft Edge because it is not possible to adjust the properties of this browser shortcut
Step 2. Right click on the shortcut
A drop-down menu will open.
- If there is no right click button on your mouse, click its right side or use 2 fingers to click it.
- If you have a trackpad instead of a mouse on your computer, tap it with 2 fingers or tap its lower right to see more options.
Step 3. Select Properties
This option is at the bottom of the menu that has just opened and allows you to open the properties window of your browser shortcut.
Step 4. Open the Shortcut tab
It's at the top of the properties window.
Step 5. Take a look at the Target text field
This text field is in the middle of the window Shortcut and contains a line that ends with. exe. "There should be nothing after the closing quotation mark.
- To see the rest of the text, click once on the field Target to place the mouse cursor inside and then on the right arrow of the keyboard to move the cursor to the far right.
Step 6. Delete everything after.exe
In the text field Target, highlight and remove any URLs or addresses that come after.exe (for example anything that contains hyphens and is followed by keywords).
Step 7. Click OK
This button is at the bottom of the window. Click on it to save your changes and close the properties window. In the future, the shortcut should no longer open a specific program or website.
Step 8. Do the same for all of your other web browsers
Even if you rarely use your other browsers (for example Internet Explorer or Firefox), you should do the same for their shortcut to make sure that no additional addresses or commands are displayed at the same time as your page. reception.
It is not possible to adjust the properties of the Microsoft Edge shortcut
Part 4 of 6: Clean Google Chrome
Step 1. Open Google Chrome
Click on the red, yellow, green and blue application in the shape of a sphere.
Step 2. Click ⋮
This button is located at the top right of the browser window and opens a drop-down menu.
Step 3. Select Settings
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. Click on it to open the settings page in a new tab.
Step 4. Scroll down the page and click Advanced Settings ▼
This option is at the bottom of the page and allows you to display other options.
Step 5. Go to the Reset and Clean section
You will find this section at the bottom of the settings page.
Step 6. Click Clean up computer
This option is found at the very bottom of the settings page.
Step 7. Select SEARCH
It's the blue link on the right of the page. Click on it to scan your computer for malware.
Step 8. Click Remove
At the command prompt, click the button To delete which will be displayed if Google Chrome finds malware or a toolbar on your computer that has installed itself without your permission.
Step 9. Change the Chrome home page
After all malware has been uninstalled from Google Chrome (if any), you will be able to change your home page and replace Bing.
Step 10. Reset Chrome
To undo all settings changed by the malware, you can reset Chrome and revert to its default settings.
- Click on ⋮
- Select Settings.
- Go to advanced settings.
- Scroll down and select Reset settings.
- Click on RESET when prompted.
Part 5 of 6: Clean Firefox
Step 1. Open Firefox
Click on the Firefox icon that looks like an orange fox around a blue globe.
Step 2. Click ☰
This button is located in the upper right corner of the window and opens a drop-down menu.
Step 3. Select Help
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Open the Troubleshooting Information page
The option Troubleshooting information is in the middle of the drop-down list.
Step 5. Click Repair Firefox
This option is located at the top right of the troubleshooting page.
Step 6. Select Repair Firefox when prompted
Firefox will start the repair process, which includes uninstalling all extensions (including those you have installed) and resetting the browser to default values.
- Repeat the process if the problem persists, but this time select Restart with modules disabled. If that is enough to solve the problem, it means you need to uninstall Firefox add-ons.
Step 7. Change the Firefox home page
This step will be necessary to prevent Bing from appearing in place of your home page even if the problematic extensions and modules have already been uninstalled.
- Click on ☰
- Select Options (if you are using a Windows computer) or Preferences (if you are using a Mac).
- In the text field Home page, type a website address, or click Restore default configuration.
Part 6 of 6: clean up Internet Explorer
Step 1. Open Internet Explorer
Click on the blue “e” icon covered with a yellow stripe.
Step 2. Click on the star wheel icon
It is located at the top right of the browser window. Click on it to open a drop-down menu.
Step 3. Select Internet Options
This option is in the drop-down menu and opens a pop-up window.
Step 4. Open the Advanced tab
The tab Advanced is at the top of the window Internet options.
Step 5. Click Reset
This option is located at the bottom right of the window.
Step 6. Confirm your choice by clicking Reset
You will find this option in the pop-up window.
Step 7. Click Close then on OK.
Your changes will be saved and the Internet options window will close.
Step 8. Restart your computer
Your changes and default settings will be applied when you restart your machine.