Set ChatGPT as Default Search Engine in Edge
- 11 steps
- Needs administrator rights
Setting ChatGPT as your default search engine in Microsoft Edge replaces the built-in Bing search with AI-powered answers that appear whenever you type a query into the address bar. Microsoft Edge is the default web browser built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and the steps below work the same on both.
Switching your search engine takes about 2 minutes. You install the official ChatGPT Search extension from the Edge Add-ons store, or you add ChatGPT by hand in Edge settings. Once you finish, a web search typed into the address bar brings up ChatGPT replies with source links instead of a standard list of web pages. Both methods work on Home and Pro editions of Windows, and neither needs a restart of the PC.
Install the “ChatGPT Search” extension from the Edge Add-ons store and click “Add extension.” Alternatively, go to Edge settings, then Search engines, click Add, and input the ChatGPT URL. Finally, set ChatGPT as the default in the Search engines menu.
Set ChatGPT Search with its extension
The first method is the quickest. You install the official ChatGPT Search browser extension, which adds the AI search tool to your address bar. You can then type questions there and get answers without visiting the ChatGPT website first. Use the Edge Add-ons listing if you can. If the link opens the Chrome Web Store instead, Edge can still install from it, but it first asks you to allow extensions from other stores.
- Open Edge, then open the ChatGPT Search extension page. The extension’s store page should now be on screen.
- Click the Get button. Edge shows a confirmation box asking if you want to add the extension.
- Select the Add extension button. Edge downloads the extension and shows a message that it has been added. A new icon may also appear on the toolbar.
Edge occasionally disables new extensions automatically. When this happens, a prompt appears asking for permission to turn the add-on on.
- If the prompt shows up, choose the option to turn on the extension.
If you do not see a prompt, or you closed it by mistake, you can turn the extension on yourself.
- Open the
edge://extensionspage. - Find the “ChatGPT Search” extension in the list and switch its toggle to On. The toggle should turn blue.
Set ChatGPT Search as default in Edge Settings
The second method uses only Edge’s own settings, with no extension. You add ChatGPT as a custom search engine by entering a shortcut and a URL query. It is a good choice on a work PC where you cannot or do not want to install extensions, and it is easy to undo later.
- Launch Edge and open the settings menu: click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, then choose Settings.
edge://settings/searchEngines
- Go to Settings Privacy, search, and services, then scroll down to the Address bar and search section.
- Select Manage search engines, then click Add. A small form opens.
- Fill in the form with the following values for ChatGPT. Depending on your Edge version, the labels may read slightly differently, for example “Search engine” for the name and “URL with %s in place of query” for the URL. The order is the same.
Name: ChatGPT
Shortcut: @ChatGPT
URL query: https://chatgpt.com/?q=%s&hints=search
Copy and paste the URL query rather than typing it, so a stray character does not break the search. Click Add to save. The new entry should now appear in the list of search engines.
- Click the three-dot menu next to the new ChatGPT entry and choose Make default. The entry should now show a “Default” label.
Configuration is now complete. Click the address bar, type a question and press Enter to test it. The results should come from ChatGPT instead of Bing. You can also type @ChatGPT followed by a space to use the shortcut for a single search.
To undo the change, return to the same list, make Bing (or another engine) the default, and remove the ChatGPT entry if you no longer want it. If you used the extension method, remove the extension from the extensions page.
If this didn’t work:
If the search engine reverts to Bing after an update, reopen edge://settings/search and set ChatGPT as the default again.
If the Make default option is missing or greyed out, or the extension will not install, the PC may be managed by an organization. Group Policy or other management settings can lock the search engine and block extensions. Only your administrator can change that. If the extension is installed but ChatGPT does not answer your searches, check that it is switched on at the extensions page, then close and reopen Edge.
- Install the ChatGPT Search ExtensionAdd the extension from its store page to start using ChatGPT for web searches.
- Enable the ExtensionMake sure the extension is turned on in Edge. A disabled extension does nothing, even though it is installed.
- Manual Settings AdjustmentIf you prefer not to use an extension, you can add ChatGPT as a search engine in Edge’s settings.
- Simple ConfigurationAdding ChatGPT to your search engines means filling in three details: name, shortcut, and URL query.
- Set as DefaultRemember to make ChatGPT your default search engine, or the address bar will keep using Bing.
With either method in place, Edge’s address bar gives you AI-powered search without a trip to the ChatGPT website first.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
As of my test today, the Plug In/Extension does not seem to be required to allow this. Maybe due to ChatGPT opening up their search function to all without an account required.
So the instructions from this heading down set it up for me on Edge:
Set ChatGPT Search as default in Edge Settings