Can I Finally Stop Windows 11 Search from Automatically Opening Microsoft Edge?

Will a Future Windows 11 Update Let Me Use Google Chrome for Start Menu Searches?

A future Windows 11 update may finally allow you to use your preferred browser, like Google Chrome or Firefox, for web searches from the Start menu and taskbar. Currently, Windows sends these searches to Microsoft Edge and the Bing search engine, but hidden codes in a test version of Edge suggest this long-standing behavior could change.

For many people, this adjustment would be a welcome improvement, giving them more control over their computer’s basic functions. It addresses a common point of frustration where personal choices for default apps are not always respected by the operating system.

The Current Search Experience in Windows 11

If you use Windows 11, you are likely familiar with the search bar located on your taskbar. It is a powerful tool for finding files, apps, and settings on your computer. You can also use it to search the web. However, when you type a web query and press enter, Windows 11 currently ignores your default browser setting.

Let’s walk through a common scenario.

• You have installed Google Chrome and set it as your default browser in Windows Settings.
• You open the Start menu or click the search icon on the taskbar.
• You type a question like “what is the weather today” and hit enter.
• Instead of opening Google Chrome, your computer launches Microsoft Edge.
• Furthermore, the search is performed using Microsoft’s Bing search engine, even if you have set Google as your preferred search engine within Edge itself.

This happens because the Windows Search feature is deeply connected with other Microsoft services. The system is designed to create a unified experience using Microsoft’s own products. While this integration is intended to be seamless, it overrides the choices of users who prefer different tools for browsing the web. This has led many to seek workarounds or simply avoid using the taskbar for web searches altogether.

Clues Pointing to a Major Change

Recent discoveries in an early test version of the Microsoft Edge browser, known as the Canary channel, provide strong evidence that Microsoft is preparing to change this behavior. Developers often use hidden settings called flags to test new features before releasing them to the public. Think of them as on/off switches that enable or disable functions that are still in development.

Investigators found several new flags with names that hint at more browser and search engine freedom. These names, while technical, tell a clear story when broken down. The most important clues are found in a series of flags that contain specific abbreviations.

• WSB: This likely stands for Windows Search Bar, referring to the search box on the taskbar.
• DSE: This is likely shorthand for Default Search Engine, the search provider you choose (like Google or DuckDuckGo).
• DB: This abbreviation probably means Default Browser, the main web browser you have selected (like Chrome or Firefox).

By combining these abbreviations, we can understand what each flag is designed to do.

What These New Options Could Mean for You

The discovered flags appear to give users three potential new ways for the Windows Search Bar to behave. Each option offers a different level of freedom, allowing you to tailor the experience to your preferences. Let’s look at what each specific change would mean in practice.

One of the new flags is named msWSBLaunchNonBingDSE.

This suggests that Windows Search will respect your Default Search Engine (DSE) but not your default browser. If you enable this, searching from your taskbar would still open Microsoft Edge. However, inside Edge, it would use your chosen search engine, like Google, instead of forcing you to use Bing.

Another flag is named msWSBLaunchNonEdgeDB.

This option respects your Default Browser (DB). If you have Chrome set as your default, a web search from the taskbar will correctly open a new tab in Chrome. This solves a major part of the problem for many users. However, in this scenario, the search itself would still be directed to Bing.com inside your Chrome browser.

The most promising flag is msWSBLaunchNonBingDSEAndNonEdgeDB.

This flag combines the two previous behaviors. When activated, Windows Search would respect both your Default Search Engine and your Default Browser. If you prefer using Google Search in the Google Chrome browser, a web search from the taskbar will take you directly there. This is the complete freedom that users have been requesting for years. It would make the Windows Search Bar a neutral tool that works with your favorite apps.

There are also flags with the word “explicit” in their names, such as msExplicitLaunchNonBingDSE. These likely refer to the same functions, reinforcing the idea that the system will be purposefully designed to launch your selected browser and search engine.

Why Microsoft Is Making This Change Now

This potential shift from Microsoft is likely driven by two major factors: user feedback and increasing regulatory pressure. For years, technologically-savvy users and tech publications have criticized Microsoft for its aggressive tactics in promoting Edge. Allowing more choice is a direct response to this long-standing feedback. A more open and flexible operating system can lead to higher user satisfaction and loyalty.

More importantly, governments are beginning to regulate how large technology companies operate. In Europe, a new law called the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is now in effect. The DMA sets rules for large online platforms, which it calls “gatekeepers,” to ensure they compete fairly and give users more choice.

One of the core requirements of the DMA is that gatekeepers cannot favor their own services over those of competitors. Forcing users into Edge and Bing when they have selected other defaults could be seen as a violation of these rules. By proactively making these changes, Microsoft may be working to comply with the DMA and avoid potential fines or legal challenges.

Other Small but Helpful Improvements

Alongside the major browser changes, the test version of Edge also hints at other small quality-of-life improvements related to search.

Better Website Icons (Favicons)

A flag named msEdgeSearchboxHandlerSendsFaviconData suggests an improvement to favicons. Favicons are the small logos you see on browser tabs that identify a website. This change would ensure that when you search from the taskbar, the correct icon appears next to each web result. This makes it easier to quickly recognize and click on the correct link.

Smarter Settings Search

Another flag, msSettingsMatchWordStart, points to a refinement in how the search function works within Edge’s own settings menu. Currently, searching for a setting can sometimes produce confusing results. This change would make the search more logical by matching your query from the beginning of the words in a setting’s name, delivering more accurate and relevant options.

What We Still Don’t Know

It is important to remember that these features were found in an early test build. Their presence is a strong indication of Microsoft’s plans, but it is not a guarantee. There are still some important unanswered questions.

First, we do not have a timeline for when these changes might be released to the general public. New features can spend weeks or months in testing, and sometimes they are cancelled entirely before a public release.

Second, we do not know if this feature will be available to all Windows 11 users worldwide. Because of the connection to the Digital Markets Act, it is possible that Microsoft may only enable this functionality for users in Europe. Companies often roll out features based on regional laws and regulations. For now, we can only hope that Microsoft decides to make this a global change for all Windows 11 users.