Can't search in Windows 10

[Gustavus]

Some time ago I built a new system: EVGA Z77 FTW motherboard, Intel i5 2500K CPU, 250 GB SSD etc. running Windows 8.1. Microsoft kept reminding me I was eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10 which I ignored for a long time. Like a damn fool I finally let them install Windows 10 -- which I understand is irreversible without a format and fresh install of an OS. In earlier versions of Windows it was a simple matter to choose a home page and search engine; mine has always been BBC news and Google. Apparently Microsoft has made it impossible to make these choices in Windows 10. For a time there was a working work around that allowed you to use the Google search engine, but Microsoft has apparently made that impossible leaving me a captive of BING -- which is orders of magnitude inferior to Google.

But the problem is that I can't even do a search in BING. If I type a search term in the entry bar and try to search a very long address appears in the address bar and no search results are ever returned -- no matter what the search term is. Similarly, I can manually enter the address for the Google search page which then opens with the usual search bar, but if I enter any search term I get the same long address and no search results. I assume that is because Windows 10 redirects the search to BING which isn't working.

I am about ready to format and install Windows 7 but thought I would ask here first to see if anyone has seen and solved a similar problem with search in Windows 10

Thanks

 

[LTC8K6]

I have no problem choosing my own search engine with Edge and Win10. Mine is set to Google right now.

However, it sounds like you may have had a redirect virus?

But Microsoft Edge uses OpenSearch technology, so you can change the default search engine. 1.In the Microsoft Edge browser, enter the search engine’s website (for example, www.contoso.com) and open that page.
2.Select More actions (...) > Settings and then scroll down to select View advanced settings. In the list under Search in the address bar with, select Change.
3.Select your search engine's website and then select Set as default. If you don't select the search engine, the Set as default button will be grayed out.

 

[Ketchup]

A couple thoughts for you:
1. You most definitely can roll back to Windows 8.1 From the start menu: Settings, Update and Security, Go Back to Windows 8.1
2. Sounds like you are using Edge instead of Internet Explorer. IE is exactly the same as it was in 8.1. Just type Internet Explorer into Cortana (the search window window right beside the Start button). You can also right-click and customize Cortana, but Cortana can also be used for web searches.

 

[Gustavus]

Thanks for the replies. It had never occurred to me that I might have a redirect virus since I run ESET Smart Security 8.304 which updates virus definitions several times each day -- but now that you mention it the long addresses that appear on any search sound like that might be the case. A computer scan though didn't show anything.

 

[Gustavus]

Here is a sample of what happens if I try to search. In this case I manually entered the address for Goggle which caused the usual Google search page to open. I then entered my name -- Gustavus -- and started a search. Instantly the address bar changed to

hhttps://cse.google.com/cse?cx=014762003813711071920:j3bfwn0oln0&hl=en&source=hp&biw=&bih=&q=gustavus&gbv=2&oq=gustavus&gs_l=heirloom-hp.3..0l10.28093.47535.0.51878.8.6.0.2.2.0.74.432.6.6.0....0...1ac.1.34.heirloom-hp..0.8.469.Bb9gcDz-Hsg

and the page shows loading. No matter how long I leave it in the "loading" state nothing ever happens.

I added an extra h to the front of the address to heep it from being active


And yes, I am running Edge

 

[LTC8K6]

cse is Google's Custom Search Engine.

Somehow you have a CSE set up for Google.

Reset Google's settings?

See if Edge is using a proxy in Advanced settings?

Reset Edge by clearing all the browsing data?