Make Google my search provider
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Your shiny new Windows 8 operating system has tiles and apps on a Start Screen, and it has the original desktop that looks like the Windows you're used to.
To make Google your default search engine, you just need to switch from apps to the desktop.
Here two options to help you switch to the desktop:
- The quick way: If you see a black bar at the bottom of the screen saying “The site www.google.com uses add-ons that require Internet Explorer on the desktop”, click the blue Open button to switch to desktop mode.
- You can also get to the desktop manually. First, make the URL bar show by hovering at the bottom of the page, or by swiping from the bottom on a touch screen. Then click on the white wrench icon and select “View on Desktop.”
Now the button to make Google your search provider should work. Aww yeah.
Search right from the address bar, wherever you go on the web.
Select the first option
Select “Add” to complete
Also want Google as your homepage?
Make Google my homepage
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Select the first option
Select “Yes” to complete
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Sign in to Google
Search right from the address bar, wherever you go on the web.
Select the first option
Select “Add” to complete
Finished?
Make sure that you're signed in, and start searching.
Sign in to Google
Search right from the address bar, wherever you go on the web.
Google Search is installed but not set as your default search provider. To default to Google, here’s how you do it:
- Click the Tools icon at the far right-hand side of the browser window.
- Select Internet options.
- In the General tab, find the Search section and click Settings.
- Select Google.
- Click Set as default and click Close.
Step 1: Open Internet Options
Click on Tools from the menu at the top of your browser.
Then select Internet Options from the menu.
Step 2: Change your homepage to Google
In the top section called Home page, delete the highlighted text next to Address. Then type www.google.co.uk in that box.
Step 3: Save your changes
Click OK at the bottom to save your changes.
Step 1: Open Settings
Click the settings icon in the upper right-hand corner and select Settings.
A new tab will open.
Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google
In the Search section, select Google from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Change your homepage to Google
In the Appearance section, check the box next to Show Home button.
To set your homepage, click Change.
Select Open this page, and then type www.google.co.uk in the box. Click OK.
Close the settings tab and your changes will be saved.
Learn more
Step 1: Open Settings
Click the settings icon in the upper right-hand corner and select Settings.
A new tab will open.
Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google
In the Search section, select Google from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Change your homepage to Google
In the Appearance section, check the box next to Show Home button.
To set your homepage, click Change.
Select Open this page, and then type www.google.co.uk in the box. Click OK.
Close the settings tab and your changes will be saved.
Learn more
Change your search provider to Google
Click the down arrow on the left side of the search box.
Then select Google from the drop-down menu.
Bonus: Change your homepage to Google
Using your mouse, click and drag the blue Google icon below to the home icon located in the upper-right corner of your browser.
Then click yes in the pop-up box.
...Or, change your homepage manually
Click on Firefox in the top-left corner, then select Options, and then click on Options in the right menu.
Click on the General button in the top menu with the picture of a switch.
Next to When Firefox starts, open the drop-down menu and select Show my homepage.
Type www.google.co.uk in the Homepage box, and click OK to save.
Learn more
Step 1: Change your search provider to Google
Click the down arrow on the left side of the search box.
Then select Google from the drop-down menu.
Bonus: Change your homepage to Google
Using your mouse, click and drag the blue Google icon below to the home icon located in the upper-right corner of your browser.
Then click yes in the pop-up box.
...Or, change your homepage manually
Select Firefox from the menu bar, then click on Preferences.
Type www.google.co.uk in the Homepage box, and close the Preferences window to save.
Learn more
Step 1: Open Preferences
Click on Safari in the top Apple menu, and then select Preferences.
Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google
Next to Default search engine, click on the drop-down menu and select Google.
Step 3: Change your homepage to Google
Next to New windows open with, open the drop-down menu and select Homepage. Open the next drop down menu and select Homepage to see your homepage in new tabs.
Then type www.google.co.uk into the box next to Homepage.
Your changes are saved.
Learn more
Step 1: Open Preferences
Click on Opera from the top menu and select Settings, and then Preferences.
Step 2: Edit Search settings
Click the Search button at the top of the Preferences window.
Select Google from the list, and then click the Edit button on the right.
Step 3: Change your default search engine to Google
Click the Details » button, and then tick both boxes next to Use as default search engine and Use as Speed Dial search engine.
Click the OK button, and then click the next OK button in the Preferences window to save your changes.
See Google in the top-right corner? You made it.
Finished? Learn how to make Google your homepage.
Edit preferences or settings to make Google your search provider
Oops! We can’t figure out which internet browser instructions to show you. Try clicking on the name of your browser in the top menu and then selecting Preferences, Settings or Options. Perhaps you have Tools in the top menu, and then select Internet Options.
Or try downloading Google Chrome for a fast, free browsing experience. Chrome installs in seconds and starts up immediately
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Click Open below, switch to desktop, and add Google to your browser.
