If you are like me you exclusively use Google for all web searches. I also am very fond on pressing the Windows button and searching for the app or file I want. When Cortana was introduced in Windows 10  they added the ability to search the web from the start menu as well. Unfortunately it was exclusive to Edge and Bing. Bellow I show you a step by step of how to change that to the browser and search engine of your choice. This adds a the very convenient ability to search the web the way you want from any application with the press of the Windows button.

Overview

Here is a quick overview of what you will be doing in this guide.

  1. Download “SeachWithMyBrowser” zip
  2. Decompress ZIP and build the program
  3. Install the program
  4. Select the program as your default search browser
  5. Set your browser to redirect Bing searches to Chrome

Alright, Let’s get into it!

Step 1: Download

Let’s download the redirect app from the developer: Direct Download (Development Site)

Step 2: Build

Once downloaded decompress the file somewhere you can easily find. (In my case I put it in C:) 

A: Make (Compile) the application.


B: Copy the path of the compiled app (SearchWithMyBrowser.exe) 

The easiest way to do this is to Shift Key + Right Click and select Copy as Path

Step 3: Install

Install application by selecting install.cmd and pasting the copied path from Step 2.

Step 4: Select

As soon as you press enter on Step 3 you will be promoted with “How do you want to open this?”. Make sure you select “SearchWithMyBrowser.exe”.

Step 5: Google

Now that you have Cortana using your default browser to open web search’s, you have to direct it to your preferred search engine. This is done with a simple chrome extension. I use: Chrometana – Redirect Bing Somewhere Better

Final Notes:

You can use this tutorial for FireFox, Opera, or any other browser that you set as default under Windows 10 settings. You can also use this with any other search engine as well. Just search for an extension or plugin that redirects the browser of your choice.

Happy Searching!