How to remove Bing from Chrome and get your usual search engine back

If every time you open Chrome you end up searching on Bing even though you swear you had everything configured with GoogleSomething's wrong. It could be as simple as a change in settings or as serious as a browser hijacker that has taken control of the search engineDon't worry, it can be fixed, but it's important to do it right so as not to leave any loose ends.

In this guide you will see, step by step, how remove Bing from ChromeCheck for suspicious extensions and programs, and clean up your browser.You'll also learn why your search engine sometimes changes "on its own," how to protect yourself again, and which antivirus programs work best when malware is already running rampant on your computer.

Why Chrome switches to Bing on its own (and when to worry)

Under normal circumstances, Chrome uses Google as its default search engine, and only switches to Bing if you manually change it or if something external intervenes. That "something" is usually a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or a browser hijacker that modifies Chrome settings without asking for permission.

These browser hijackers usually come hidden in freeware installers, downloads pirated or seemingly innocent extensionsOnce installed, they change your search engine, homepage, add suspicious toolbars, and redirect you to websites full of ads or, even worse, dangerous ones.

Besides the hassle of constantly checking Bing, the real problem is that This type of malware can collect personal and browsing data. to sell them to advertisers or use them in malicious campaigns. It can also open the door to much more serious threats like Trojans, ransomware, or rootkits.

Therefore, if you've reset Chrome to factory settings more than once and the search engine reverts to Bing, you most likely have a resident malware that the configuration is reinstalled or rewritten upon restartIn that scenario, simply tweaking browser options isn't enough: you need to clean the system.

First step: remove suspicious extensions and programs before touching Chrome

Before restoring Chrome or running a full antivirus scan, it's advisable to Remove anything that the hijacker might be reinjecting.That is, unusual extensions and programs that you have recently installed and are unsure about.

Remove suspicious extensions in Google Chrome

Extensions are a favorite method for hijackers because they integrate directly into the browser. Check what you have installed and delete any add-on that you don't remember adding or that you no longer use.

1. Open Chrome and click on the three vertical dots icon in the upper right corner.
2. In the menu, place the mouse on "Extensions" and click on "Manage extensions".
3. Review the list and click on "Remove" or "Delete" on any extensions that seem suspicious, have a strange name, or that you don't remember installing.
4. Confirm the action by clicking "Delete" again when prompted.

Keep in mind that many Malware modifies or uses legitimate extensions to redirect your trafficinjecting ads or changing the search engine. Even if you only see one problematic extension, it's a good idea to carefully review each one.

Uninstalling recent programs in Windows 11

En Windows 11The most practical approach is to sort the applications by installation date to locate the most recently installed program. Almost always, the hijacker will be accompanied by... some free program, dubious "optimizer" or software that came in a bundle.

1. Press the Start button and type "Uninstall" in the search box.
2. Click on "Add or remove programs" or "Installed applications", depending on the version.
3. In the list, change the view to sort it by "Installation Date".
4. Locate any apps you don't recognize or need, tap the three dots on the right, and select "Uninstall".
5. Follow the uninstallation wizard to the end. Once you've removed everything suspicious, you can restore Chrome to its original settings.

Uninstalling recent programs in Windows 10

The process in Windows Version 10 is very similar; only the path to the settings changes. The goal is the same: Remove any applications that were installed just before Chrome started redirecting you to Bing..

1. Click on the "Start" menu and then on the "Settings" icon (gear).
2. In the settings window, go to "Applications".
3. In "Apps and features", use the "Sort by" option and select "Installation date".
4. Select each application you don't recognize, click on it, and choose "Uninstall".
5. Let the process finish and repeat with all the suspicious programs. Then you can proceed to reset Chrome.

Uninstall recently installed programs in Windows 8

Although Windows 8 is largely forgotten, it's still used by many computers in businesses and homes. It remains essential on those computers as well. Clean the list of installed programs before messing with the browser.

1. Press the Home key on the keyboard to display the Home screen (the tiles).
2. Without opening anything, type "Control Panel" and click on the corresponding icon on the right.
3. In the Control Panel window, go to "Uninstall a program".
4. At the top, use the option to sort the list by "Installation Date".
5. Select programs with unusual names, programs you don't use, or programs that were installed just before the problem started, and click "Uninstall." Wait for it to finish and then move on to the next one.

Remove suspicious applications on macOS

En MacThe key is to check the Applications folder and Throw in the bin anything that smells strange or that you don't remember putting there yourselfMany adware programs come disguised as "utilities" that promise to speed up the system or clean memory.

1. In the Dock, open "Finder".
2. In the left sidebar, go to "Applications".
3. Activate the "List" view to better see details such as the date.
4. In the "Display" menu, choose "Show display options" and check "Date modified".
5. Click on the header of that column to sort the apps by date.
6. Drag to the trash any applications you don't recognize or that coincide with the time the problem started.
7. Right-click the trash can icon in the Dock and select "Empty Trash" to permanently delete those programs.

Once the application list is cleared, you can Reset Chrome and prepare your computer for a thorough malware scan.

Removing problematic applications in Linux (Ubuntu)

In Ubuntu and its derivatives, the easiest place to clean up your system is the Software Center. There you'll see everything at a glance. which packages you have recently installed and you can remove the unknown ones.

1. Open the "Ubuntu Software Center".
2. Click on the "Installed" tab.
3. Review the list of applications and notice any that you don't recognize or don't use.
4. Select any suspicious app and press the "Remove" or "Uninstall" button.
5. Enter your account password when prompted to confirm.

Once you've cleared out suspicious extensions and applications, it's time to Revert Chrome to its original state to remove all unwanted changes at once..

How to reset Chrome to remove Bing and other changes

Restoring Chrome's default settings is usually the final blow for a browser hijacker, provided you've already removed the software that reinjects it. This process It disables extensions, removes added search engines, and returns the home page and new tab page to their default state..

That said: the Chrome reset It does not delete your bookmarks, history, or saved passwords.So you can rest assured about that. What it does is reset settings, disable all extensions, and clear cookies and associated temporary data.

1. Opens Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three vertical dots in the upper right corner and enter "Settings".
3. In the left panel, tap on "Reset settings" or "Reset and clean," depending on the version.
4. Click “Restore settings to original defaults.”
5. Confirm in the pop-up window for Chrome to perform the full reset.

When the process is complete, Chrome should be able to use [the appropriate function/function name] again. Its factory settings: Google as the default search engine, with no redirects or active extensionsIf, after doing this, in the next Boot If Bing reappears, it's almost certain that malware is still on the computer.

Step 1: Detect the malware with a good antivirus

To ensure that no traces of hijackers or PUPs remain, a quick scan isn't enough. You need a full system scan with a reliable and up-to-date antivirus, capable of detecting both adware and hijackers as well as advanced threats.

Before starting the analysis, it is recommended disconnect any memory USB or external disk that you have connected. Some malware automatically copies itself to these devices to spread, and if you leave it, it could reinfect your computer later.

In most antivirus programs, you simply open the program and look for the "Full Scan" or "Full System Scan" option. This type of scan usually takes quite a while (sometimes more than an hour), but it's the only way to check every corner of the disk and memory.

Many modern engines use cloud analytics, heuristics, and machine learning to identify even new malware variants. Some, like Bitdefender, are designed to minimize the performance impact even during full scans, so your computer doesn't become unusable while they're running.

Important: even if the antivirus starts listing infections from minute one, Do not cancel the analysis when you see the first resultsThere may be more hidden threats that are only detected when the scan reaches certain folders or processes.

Step 2: Remove the malware, restart, and rescan.

Once the scan is complete, the antivirus will show you a summary with all files, processes, and registry entries that you have marked as malicious or suspiciousThis is where we need to use our heads.

In most cases you can select the option without any problem. Remove or quarantine everything marked as malwareHowever, false positives occasionally appear: legitimate files that the engine mistakenly interprets as dangerous.

If you have some experience and recognize the name of a system file or program that you know is trusted, you can calmly check its detection or restore it from quarantine. If you're unsure, It is highly recommended to consult with the antivirus technical support. before deleting it permanently.

After cleaning everything, restart your computer. When it restarts, launch a second full analysisThis is usually much faster, because the antivirus has already scanned the files and only checks for changes, but it serves to confirm that There is no trace left, nor any attempt at reinfection..

If this second scan still detects threats, you'll need to repeat the clean-restart-scan cycle until the report finally says the system is clean. Only then can you consider the Chrome hijacking problem resolved.

Step 3: How to prevent Bing (and others) from hijacking Chrome again

When you finally get everything back to normal, the last thing you want is to have to repeat the process a few weeks later. That's why it's important Strengthen security slightly to prevent new infections and search engine changes.

• Keep your operating system, programs, and drivers up to dateMany infections exploit security vulnerabilities in older software versions. The best antivirus programs include vulnerability scanners capable of detecting outdated applications and even automatically installing patches.
• Also update Chrome and the rest of your browsersThe updates fix bugs that could allow a malicious website to install extensions or change settings without your permission.

In addition to the updates, we need to exercise extreme caution with what we download. Many hijackers sneak in when we install free programs full of "recommended" options.

• Avoid downloading software from untrustworthy websites or suspicious email links.It's always best to go to the program's official website or trusted repositories.
• Do not open attachments or click on links in emails you were not expecting.Even if they appear to be from banks or well-known companies, if you have any doubts, verify with the sender through another channel.
• Activate real-time antivirus protection so that it analyzes everything you download before running it.

Another source of risk It's the network you use to connect. Wi-Fi network incorrectly configured It allows intruders to snoop on your traffic, launch attacks, or infect devices IoT.

• Change your default password router and use a strong key, generated with a password manager reliable if possible.
• Enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption and disable unnecessary open networks.
• If you connect to public networks (cafes, hotels, etc.), consider using a VPN trusted to encrypt traffic and make it harder for them to spy on you.

Don't forget IoT (Internet of Things) devices either. IP cameras, smart speakers, baby monitors, and connected doorbells often come with absurdly weak default passwords that anyone can find on the internet.

• Find your device model on the manufacturer's website and Change the default login credentials.
• If you have remote access, consider disabling it if you don't need it or protect it with strong authentication.
• Use a password manager to create long, unique passwords, instead of always reusing the same one.

Finally, make sure you have a robust antivirus installed and active on all your important devicesCurrent security packages combine real-time protection, firewalls, VPNs, web protection, and even identity monitoring services, greatly reducing the chances of suffering from hijackers like the Bing hijacker in Chrome again.