Chromium-based browsers no longer allow users to remove the default search engine

Previously, users had the ability to remove or remove the default search engine from the browser's settings if they didn't like it or for some other reason.

However, the recent Chromium 97 update has made a pretty important change. Now in the default search engine settings the "Delete - Delete" option has been removed. Below is a before-after comparison image on Microsoft Edge showing that the Delete option has been removed on Microsoft Edge 97, leaving only two options "Set as default - Make default" and "Edit - Edit".

Chromium-based browsers no longer allow users to remove the default search engine Picture 1

Microsoft Edge before version 97

Chromium-based browsers no longer allow users to remove the default search engine Picture 2

Microsoft Edge 97"

But according to Chromium developers, removing the Delete button is more beneficial for the end user.

"Previously, you could delete a pre-populated search engine (e.g. Google, Bing, Baidu) in two clicks. That way, if you accidentally delete it you'll have a hard time re-adding it. Even if you're good enough understanding to use the "Add - Add" dialog to recreate pre-made items, you also cannot install suggestions, new tab pages or other specialized URLs," shared developer jdonnelly. "Delete (default search engine) should be more difficult or impossible. I would love the second option."

Although made with good intentions, many users complain about this change of the Chromium browser. For example, user Filipa Nunes reflects that the Chrome browser always switches the default search engine to Yahoo even when they try to set it to something else. Many others also reported similar problems.

Most likely the Delete option in the default search engine settings will return on Chromium 98 or 99 if the developers haven't come up with a better solution.

David Pac

Update 17 January 2022