You have the option to modify the search engine in Windows Search by downloading the MSIX package (app) from the Microsoft Store. If you want to replace Bing with Google in Windows 11’s search, you’ll need to download Google’s app from the Store.

Since the arrival of Windows 10, Bing has been the default on Windows Search. Microsoft, like Google and other companies, has enforced their search engine on users, whether they want it or not. Fortunately, this is finally changing.

With the European Union cracking down on organizations monopolizing their software, Microsoft has become a target. According to a recent update on their Learn documentation page, Microsoft will now allow users to use different search providers on Windows 11.

As per the documentation, changing search providers in Windows 11 will require technical knowledge on the users’ part, but most of the changes must be made by developers and Microsoft. Developers will need to create an MSIX package with a package manifest to store the preferred search provider, and users can install it via the Microsoft Store.

For instance, you can install an app from the Microsoft Store that will set the preferred search engine to Google. Similarly, Duck Duck Go can create and publish its own MSIX package to the Microsoft Store, and you can install that app to change the search engine.

It’s important to note that changing search providers will only be available to users in the European Economic Area (EEA) region. You can use Google, DuckDuckGo, or any other search provider of your choice. If you live outside of the EEA, your options are limited and you’ll have to stick with Bing.

In our tests, we observed that the update that brings this change isn’t live yet. We expect Microsoft to first test it with the Insiders and roll it out to everyone in a few months. With Windows 11 23H2 released, we expect this to change with a subsequent update.

You can also modify the Feed Providers in Widgets. Along with the Search Provider, Microsoft will allow users in the EEA to change the feed provider in the Widgets Board too.

Noted on their documentation page, Microsoft will let users change the feed provider to others instead of just Bing. This will be a significant improvement since users have long complained about having irrelevant articles show up on their Widget Boards.

At present, there is no easy way to disable the feeds on the Widget Board on Windows 11. You either have to disable the Widget Board as a whole or trust Microsoft to improve their recommendations.

The feature is currently in testing with Insiders, and we anticipate it being rolled out for general users soon.