search engine help

vett · 07 Sep 2018

just got a new comp with windows 10. don't like edge so I am using explorer how do I get rid of bing and use google search

dalchina · 07 Sep 2018

Bing is a search engine. So you use a different one, where it's possible to configure your browser's default search engine.

For example in Firefox I can choose a number of search engines.

In IE (I assume by explorer you mean Internet Explorer) you can add search engines thus, (use 'Add').

Considering Cortana (which you don't have to use if you don't want to) see
Show Cortana Web Search Results in Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer | Windows 10 Tutorials

Don't want Edge launched? Try Edge Deflector:
How to Make Cortana Search with Google and Chrome Instead of Bing and Edge

N.B. Before making lots of configuration changes, secure your shiny new PC and make it easily recoverable when things go badly wrong (and they can.. they can).

Start NOW using disk imaging as a priority. Use it routinely and periodically. E.g. Macrium Reflect (free) + external storage for disk image sets (base + differentials).

Then, when your disk fails, your PC is irrecoverably unbootable, or sthg else bad has happened, you can restore your disk image and be back as you were without days of technical help.

Stevekir · 07 Sep 2018

Dalchina said: "Start NOW using disk imaging as a priority. Use it routinely and periodically. E.g. Macrium Reflect (free) + external storage for disk image sets (base + differentials)."

Really good advice. I use Macrium Reflect (free) to automatically make a disc image of my C: drive every day on two external hard drives, so keeping a rolling week's images. It saves only what has changed rather than copying the whole C: drive. My C: drive (a 256 MB SSD chip) has only the operating system and the apps. My Documents, Pictures etc. are on the computer's internal rotating hard drive. Therefore making a disc image of my C: drive takes only 12 minutes and does not slow down the computer. If you use the internal rotating drive for everything (the default when the computer was bought), it would take longer, but still quick.

You can make a Macrium Rescue DVD (or USB) which when used to boot the computer will run its independent cut down version of the operating system to get an unbootable computer running. It then offers to install one of your saved disc images which is a very simple process and gets you fully back to work in 20 minutes. Unfortunately, in my opinion, all the help sites describing this process are complex and difficult to follow.

Ztruker · 07 Sep 2018

Internet Explorer is in Microsoft's "let it die a slow, painful death" pile. I recommend taking the time to work with Edge, it's really not a bad browser. Yes, it has some quirks but over all works very well.

Like IE, you can set Edge to open to a specific page, use the search engine you want, save things where you want them, etc. You just need to take the time to learn how.

Just my $.02 worth.