windows updates keep changing my default search engine to yahoo. How can keep my default search engine from reverting back to yahoo each update?

This is usually caused by an extension or another browser component changing the search engine setting, not by Windows Update itself.

Try this in Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Edge.
2. Select Settings and more > Settings.
3. Go to Privacy, search, and services.
4. Select Search and connected services > Address bar and search.
5. Under Search engine used in the address bar, choose the search engine wanted.

If the wanted search engine is not listed:

1. Search once from the Edge address bar using that search engine’s site.
2. Then return to Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Search and connected services > Address bar and search.
3. It should now appear in the list so it can be selected.

Also check extensions, because some extensions can automatically change the default search engine:

1. Select the Extensions icon next to the address bar.
2. Select Manage Extensions.
3. Disable or remove any extension that looks related to search, antivirus, ad blocking, or anything suspicious.
4. Then set the preferred search engine again.

If Yahoo keeps returning, remove unwanted search engines from the browser’s search engine list. A Microsoft Q&A answer also suggests opening edge://settings/searchEngines and deleting search engines that are not wanted.

If the PC is in Windows 11 in S mode, Microsoft Edge is always the default web browser and Bing is the default search engine. In that case, another default browser or search engine cannot be set unless the device is permanently switched out of S mode.

• Change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Edge Extensions: Frequently Asked Questions
• Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S mode FAQ
• Yahoo keeps changing my search engine (Hijacked) (in Edge and Google) - Microsoft Q&A