How to Remove Bing from Your Computer: A Comprehensive Guide
Bing, while a perfectly legitimate search engine, often finds its way onto users’ computers uninvited, typically bundled with software installations or through browser hijacks. This can be frustrating, as it overrides your preferred search engine and homepage settings. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to completely remove Bing from your computer, covering all major browsers and potential installation points. Follow these detailed steps to reclaim your browsing experience and restore your preferred search settings.
## Why is Bing on My Computer?
Before diving into the removal process, it’s helpful to understand how Bing likely ended up on your system in the first place. The most common reasons include:
* **Bundled Software:** Many free software programs include optional add-ons, toolbars, or search engines during installation. If you don’t carefully read and uncheck these options, Bing might be installed alongside the desired software.
* **Browser Hijackers:** Some malicious programs, known as browser hijackers, are specifically designed to modify browser settings, redirecting your search queries to Bing and changing your homepage.
* **Fake Updates:** Deceptive websites might trick you into installing fake browser updates or plugins that bundle Bing.
* **Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs):** PUPs are applications that, while not strictly malicious, can exhibit undesirable behavior, such as installing toolbars or changing browser settings without explicit consent.
Knowing the potential sources of Bing’s presence can help you prevent it from recurring in the future.
## Removing Bing from Your Browsers
This section provides detailed instructions for removing Bing from the most popular web browsers:
### 1. Removing Bing from Google Chrome
Chrome is the most popular web browser, making it a prime target for unwanted search engine modifications. Follow these steps to remove Bing:
**A. Change the Default Search Engine:**
1. **Open Chrome:** Launch the Google Chrome browser.
2. **Access Settings:** Click the three vertical dots (More icon) in the top-right corner of the Chrome window. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
3. **Search Engine:** In the Settings menu, locate the “Search engine” section on the left-hand sidebar (you might need to scroll down). Alternatively, type “Search engine” in the settings search bar.
4. **Manage Search Engines:** Click the dropdown menu next to “Search engine used in the address bar” and choose your preferred search engine (e.g., Google, DuckDuckGo, etc.).
5. **Manage Search Engines and Site Search:** Click on “Manage search engines and site search.” This will open a new page displaying a list of installed search engines.
6. **Remove Bing:** Locate “Bing” in the list. Click the three vertical dots next to Bing’s name. Select “Remove from list.” This will prevent Chrome from using Bing as the default search engine.
**B. Reset Chrome Startup Page:**
1. **Access Settings:** As before, open Chrome and navigate to “Settings” (three vertical dots -> Settings).
2. **On Startup:** In the Settings menu, find the “On startup” section on the left-hand sidebar.
3. **Choose Startup Behavior:** You’ll see three options:
* “Open the New Tab page”
* “Continue where you left off”
* “Open a specific page or set of pages”
4. **Remove Bing Pages:** If the third option (“Open a specific page or set of pages”) is selected, review the listed pages. If Bing is listed, click the three vertical dots next to it and select “Remove.”
5. **Set Preferred Startup Page:** Add your preferred homepage (e.g., Google.com) by clicking “Add a new page” and entering the URL.
**C. Check and Remove Suspicious Extensions:**
1. **Access Extensions:** In Chrome, type `chrome://extensions` in the address bar and press Enter. This will open the Extensions page.
2. **Review Extensions:** Carefully examine the list of installed extensions. Look for any extensions that you don’t recognize, didn’t install intentionally, or that seem suspicious (e.g., extensions with generic names or vague descriptions).
3. **Remove Suspicious Extensions:** For each suspicious extension, click the “Remove” button. Chrome will prompt you to confirm the removal. Click “Remove” again.
**D. Reset Chrome to Default Settings (Optional):**
If you’ve tried the above steps and are still experiencing issues, you can reset Chrome to its default settings. This will disable all extensions, clear temporary data, and reset your search engine and homepage settings.
1. **Access Settings:** Open Chrome and navigate to “Settings” (three vertical dots -> Settings).
2. **Advanced Settings:** Scroll to the bottom of the Settings page and click “Advanced.”
3. **Reset and Clean up:** Scroll down to the “Reset and clean up” section.
4. **Restore Settings to Their Original Defaults:** Click “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
5. **Confirm Reset:** Chrome will display a warning message explaining what will be reset. Click “Reset settings” to proceed.
### 2. Removing Bing from Mozilla Firefox
Firefox is another popular browser that can be affected by Bing-related issues. Here’s how to remove Bing from Firefox:
**A. Change the Default Search Engine:**
1. **Open Firefox:** Launch the Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. **Access Options:** Click the three horizontal lines (Menu icon) in the top-right corner of the Firefox window. Select “Options” from the dropdown menu.
3. **Search:** In the Options menu, click on “Search” in the left-hand sidebar.
4. **Default Search Engine:** Under the “Default Search Engine” section, choose your preferred search engine from the dropdown menu (e.g., Google, DuckDuckGo, etc.).
5. **Remove Bing from Search Shortcuts:** Scroll down to the “Search Shortcuts” section. Locate “Bing” in the list.
6. **Remove Bing:** Click on “Bing” to select it, and then click the “Remove” button. Alternatively, right-click on “Bing” and select “Remove.”
**B. Reset Firefox Homepage:**
1. **Access Options:** As before, open Firefox and navigate to “Options” (three horizontal lines -> Options).
2. **Home:** In the Options menu, click on “Home” in the left-hand sidebar.
3. **Homepage and New Windows:** Under the “Homepage and new windows” section, you’ll see a dropdown menu labeled “Homepage and new windows.”
4. **Choose Homepage:** Select one of the following options:
* “Firefox Home (Default)”
* “Blank Page”
* “Custom URLs…”
5. **Set Custom URL (If Necessary):** If you choose “Custom URLs…”, enter your preferred homepage URL (e.g., Google.com) in the provided field.
**C. Check and Remove Suspicious Add-ons:**
1. **Access Add-ons:** In Firefox, type `about:addons` in the address bar and press Enter. This will open the Add-ons Manager.
2. **Extensions:** Click on “Extensions” in the left-hand sidebar.
3. **Review Extensions:** Carefully examine the list of installed extensions. Look for any extensions that you don’t recognize, didn’t install intentionally, or that seem suspicious.
4. **Remove Suspicious Extensions:** For each suspicious extension, click the three dots next to the extension name and select “Remove.”
**D. Reset Firefox (Optional):**
If the previous steps haven’t resolved the issue, you can reset Firefox to its default settings. This will remove all add-ons, customizations, and preferences.
1. **Access Troubleshooting Information:** Click the three horizontal lines (Menu icon) in the top-right corner of the Firefox window. Select “Help” -> “More Troubleshooting Information.”
2. **Refresh Firefox:** On the Troubleshooting Information page, click the “Refresh Firefox…” button in the top-right corner.
3. **Confirm Refresh:** Firefox will display a warning message explaining what will be reset. Click “Refresh Firefox” to proceed.
### 3. Removing Bing from Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge, the default browser in Windows 10 and 11, can also be affected by unwanted Bing integrations. Here’s how to remove it:
**A. Change the Default Search Engine:**
1. **Open Edge:** Launch the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. **Access Settings:** Click the three horizontal dots (Settings and more icon) in the top-right corner of the Edge window. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
3. **Privacy, search, and services:** Click on “Privacy, search, and services” in the left-hand sidebar.
4. **Address bar and search:** Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Address bar and search.”
5. **Search engine used in the address bar:** Select your preferred search engine from the dropdown menu (e.g., Google, DuckDuckGo, etc.).
6. **Manage search engines:** Click on “Manage search engines.” This will open a new page displaying a list of installed search engines.
7. **Remove Bing:** Locate “Bing” in the list. Click the three vertical dots next to Bing’s name. Select “Delete.” This will prevent Edge from using Bing as the default search engine.
**B. Reset Edge Homepage:**
1. **Access Settings:** As before, open Edge and navigate to “Settings” (three horizontal dots -> Settings).
2. **Start, home, and new tabs:** Click on “Start, home, and new tabs” in the left-hand sidebar.
3. **When Edge starts:** You’ll see several options:
* “Open the new tab page”
* “Continue where you left off”
* “Open these pages”
4. **Remove Bing Pages:** If “Open these pages” is selected, review the listed pages. If Bing is listed, click the three dots next to it and select “Delete.”
5. **Set Preferred Startup Page:** Add your preferred homepage (e.g., Google.com) by clicking “Add a new page” and entering the URL.
**C. Check and Remove Suspicious Extensions:**
1. **Access Extensions:** In Edge, click the three horizontal dots (Settings and more icon) in the top-right corner of the Edge window. Select “Extensions” from the dropdown menu.
2. **Manage Extensions:** Click on “Manage extensions.”
3. **Review Extensions:** Carefully examine the list of installed extensions. Look for any extensions that you don’t recognize, didn’t install intentionally, or that seem suspicious.
4. **Remove Suspicious Extensions:** For each suspicious extension, click the “Remove” button below the extension. Confirm the removal by clicking “Remove” again.
**D. Reset Edge (Optional):**
If the above steps haven’t worked, you can reset Edge to its default settings.
1. **Access Settings:** Open Edge and navigate to “Settings” (three horizontal dots -> Settings).
2. **Reset settings:** Click on “Reset settings” in the left-hand sidebar.
3. **Restore settings to their default values:** Click on “Restore settings to their default values.”
4. **Confirm Reset:** Edge will display a warning message explaining what will be reset. Click “Reset” to proceed.
## Removing Bing from System-Wide Settings (Windows)
Sometimes, Bing can be integrated at a system level, affecting search results across your operating system. Here’s how to address that in Windows:
**A. Check Default Apps:**
1. **Open Settings:** Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. **Apps:** Click on “Apps.”
3. **Default apps:** Click on “Default apps” in the left-hand sidebar.
4. **Choose default apps by protocol:** Scroll down and click on “Choose default apps by protocol.”
5. **Search for HTTP and HTTPS:** In the list of protocols, find “HTTP” and “HTTPS.”
6. **Ensure Preferred Browser is Selected:** Make sure your preferred browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge) is selected as the default app for both HTTP and HTTPS protocols. If Bing or another unwanted browser is selected, click on it and choose your preferred browser.
**B. Check Installed Programs:**
1. **Open Control Panel:** Type “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
2. **Programs and Features:** In the Control Panel, click on “Programs” -> “Programs and Features.”
3. **Review Installed Programs:** Carefully examine the list of installed programs. Look for any programs that you don’t recognize, didn’t install intentionally, or that seem suspicious. This includes toolbars, browser helpers, or any software with “Bing” in the name.
4. **Uninstall Suspicious Programs:** For each suspicious program, click on it to select it, and then click the “Uninstall” button. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the program.
**C. Check Scheduled Tasks:**
1. **Open Task Scheduler:** Type “Task Scheduler” in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
2. **Task Scheduler Library:** In the Task Scheduler window, expand “Task Scheduler Library” in the left-hand pane.
3. **Review Tasks:** Carefully examine the list of tasks. Look for any tasks that seem suspicious or related to Bing. Pay attention to the task name, description, and trigger.
4. **Disable or Delete Suspicious Tasks:** For each suspicious task, right-click on it and select either “Disable” or “Delete.” Disabling the task will prevent it from running, while deleting it will remove it completely. If you’re unsure about a task, it’s safer to disable it first to see if it causes any issues.
**D. Scan for Malware:**
Even after removing Bing from your browsers and system settings, there’s a chance that malware is still present on your computer. Run a full system scan with a reputable antivirus program to detect and remove any malicious software.
* **Windows Defender:** Windows includes a built-in antivirus program called Windows Defender (or Microsoft Defender Antivirus). You can access it by searching for “Windows Security” in the Windows search bar.
* **Third-Party Antivirus:** Consider using a third-party antivirus program like Malwarebytes, Norton, McAfee, or Bitdefender for more comprehensive protection.
Follow the instructions provided by your antivirus program to perform a full system scan and remove any detected threats.
## Preventing Bing from Returning
Once you’ve successfully removed Bing from your computer, it’s important to take steps to prevent it from returning in the future. Here are some tips:
* **Pay Attention During Software Installations:** Carefully read each step of the installation process for any software you download and install. Uncheck any boxes that offer to install additional software, toolbars, or change your browser settings.
* **Download Software from Official Websites:** Avoid downloading software from third-party websites, as they often bundle unwanted programs. Always download software directly from the official website of the software developer.
* **Be Cautious of Browser Extensions:** Only install browser extensions from trusted sources. Before installing an extension, check its reviews and permissions to ensure it’s legitimate.
* **Keep Your Software Up to Date:** Regularly update your operating system, web browsers, and antivirus software to patch security vulnerabilities and protect against malware.
* **Use a Pop-up Blocker:** Pop-up blockers can prevent malicious websites from opening new tabs or windows that might try to install unwanted software.
* **Be Wary of Suspicious Emails and Links:** Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in suspicious emails, as they might lead to websites that install malware or browser hijackers.
## Conclusion
Removing Bing from your computer can be a multi-step process, but by following the detailed instructions in this guide, you can successfully reclaim your browsing experience and restore your preferred search settings. Remember to be vigilant during software installations, avoid suspicious websites and links, and keep your software up to date to prevent Bing from returning in the future. Regularly scanning your system with an antivirus program is also a crucial step in maintaining a clean and secure computing environment. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy a safer and more enjoyable browsing experience without the unwanted presence of Bing.