How to Stop Bing from Opening at Startup on Windows 10?

If you’ve recently noticed that Bing automatically opens or appears in your browser when you start your Windows 10 computer, it could be due to settings in your web browser, startup programs, or a recent application installation. Bing may be set as your default search engine or homepage, which causes it to launch at startup. Fortunately, there are several ways to stop Bing from opening at startup. This guide will walk you through various methods to prevent Bing from automatically opening on your computer.

Method 1: Change Your Default Browser Settings

One of the most common reasons Bing opens automatically is if it’s set as the default search engine or homepage in your browser. Changing these settings can stop Bing from opening at startup.

For Google Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three-dot menu (top-right corner) and select Settings.
3. Under the On startup section, choose Open a specific page or set of pages.
4. If Bing is listed as the page that opens, click on the three dots next to it and select Remove.
5. To change the default search engine, scroll down to the Search engine section, click Manage search engines, and set your preferred search engine (e.g., Google or DuckDuckGo) as the default.

For Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu (top-right corner) and go to Settings.
3. Select On startup from the left-hand menu.
4. Choose Open a specific page or pages, and remove any Bing-related pages from the list.
5. To change the default search engine, navigate to Privacy, search, and services, and under Services, select Address bar and search. Set your preferred search engine there.

For Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click on the three-bar menu (top-right corner) and select Options.
3. Under the General section, find Home Page and change it to a page you prefer.
4. For the default search engine, go to the Search section in the menu and choose a different search engine from the list.

Method 2: Remove Bing from Startup Programs

In some cases, Bing may be set to launch automatically through a startup program. You can manage startup programs to prevent Bing from opening on boot.

Steps to Manage Startup Programs:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Look for any entries related to Bing or your browser.
4. If you find any, right-click on them and select Disable.

This will stop those programs from running automatically when you start your computer.

Method 3: Check for Unwanted Browser Extensions or Malware

Sometimes, unwanted extensions or even malware can cause Bing to open at startup. If you suspect your browser behavior is due to an extension or malicious software, follow these steps:

For Google Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three-dot menu and go to More tools > Extensions.
3. Look for any suspicious or unfamiliar extensions related to Bing or other unwanted programs. Click Remove to delete them.

For Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click on the three-dot menu and go to Extensions.
3. Disable or remove any suspicious extensions related to Bing.

For Malware Removal:

1. Open Windows Security by pressing Windows + I, then go to Update & Security > Windows Security.
2. Click Virus & Threat Protection and then Quick Scan to check for any malware.
3. You can also use third-party antivirus software for a more thorough scan.

If malware or an unwanted browser extension is the cause, this will resolve the issue after scanning and removing any threats.

Method 4: Reset or Reinstall Your Web Browser

If changing the settings and removing extensions doesn’t work, you may need to reset your browser to its default settings. This can fix issues caused by misconfigured settings, malware, or other persistent problems.

For Google Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome and go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and click on Advanced to show more options.
3. Under Reset and clean up, click Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. Confirm by clicking Reset settings.

For Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and go to Settings.
2. Under Reset settings, click on Restore settings to their default values.
3. Confirm by clicking Reset.

For Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Firefox and go to Help > Troubleshooting Information.
2. Under Give Firefox a tune-up, click Refresh Firefox.

After resetting your browser, be sure to set your preferred homepage and search engine once again.

Method 5: Disable Bing via Group Policy Editor (Advanced)

For users running Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, you can also disable Bing search suggestions and results using the Group Policy Editor. This method is more advanced, but it will prevent Bing from showing up in searches or appearing in the Start Menu.

Steps to Disable Bing via Group Policy Editor:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
4. Double-click Do not allow web search and select Enabled.
5. Click OK to apply the changes.

This will disable Bing in the Start Menu and prevent it from showing in search results.

Method 6: Uninstall Bing-Related Apps or Programs

Sometimes, third-party apps or programs might configure Bing as their default search engine and may launch it at startup. Uninstalling any such programs may stop this behavior.

Steps to Uninstall Bing-Related Apps:

1. Open the Start Menu and go to Settings.
2. Click on Apps and scroll down to find any Bing-related apps or programs.
3. Select the app and click Uninstall.

Conclusion

Stopping Bing from opening at startup in Windows 10 is achievable through a few simple steps. Whether it’s adjusting your browser settings, disabling unwanted extensions, managing startup programs, or even resetting your browser, you have various options to control when and how Bing appears. If the issue persists, scanning for malware or resetting your browser may resolve more complex issues. By following this guide, you can ensure that Bing doesn’t automatically open when you boot your computer.