Why is a Bing page appearing when I start Google Chrome?

PK Player 71 Reputation points
2025-11-10T09:30:09.8133333+00:00

Hello.

I use both MS Edge and Google Chrome. I have configured Google Chrome so that the only search engine available is Google Search (Bing, Yahoo etc., have been removed). Google Chrome is also configured to open a new (empty) tab on startup,

However, at least once every two weeks I open Chrome and a new tab page will open as it should, but another tab opens for Bing search. Why is this happening? I don't use Bing Search because the first page of results are not as relevant as those produced by Google Search.

The address is: https://www.bing.com/?PC=U661

How can I stop this, please?

I have removed Bing Search where I can but this behaviour persists.

Thank you.

Bing | Search | Unexpected search results
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  1. 片山 朋和 0 Reputation points
    2026-10-15T17:16:06.83+00:00

    Software analysis indicates that setting the following registry entries can prevent the application from launching.

    New-Item -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\BingWallpaperApp' -Force; New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\BingWallpaperApp' -Name 'FREPromoCompletionDate' -PropertyType Binary -Value ([BitConverter]::GetBytes([DateTime]::UtcNow.ToFileTimeUtc())) -Force

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  2. PK Player 71 Reputation points
    2025-11-11T09:27:52.21+00:00

    Hi, Paulo GM.

    Thank you for responding to my query. I had already seen this and, as you must be aware, removing functionality is no way to to solve a problem.

    The issue is that Microsoft are highjacking Google Chrome, interfering with my workflow to promote their own competing product. I would like to know how this process can be stopped. I enjoy the images provided by Bing Wallpaper and it would be great if Microsoft's Bing Wallpaper's developers (or whoever is responsible) would show some respect for their client base. I don't understand why Google allow this to happen.

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  3. Paulo GM 73,340 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-10T10:27:31.65+00:00

    Hi,

    Do you have the Bing Wallpaper app installed? I checked a few threads and found this one reporting an issue similar to yours. The app seems to be randomly opening that exact URL appended with PC=U661, according to several users. If it’s installed, you could try to disable it on startup or uninstall it to see if that resolves the problem.

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  4. AI answer

    2025-11-10T09:30:26.43+00:00

    The issue you're experiencing with Bing opening in a new tab when you start Google Chrome could be due to a few reasons:

    1. Browser Extensions: Sometimes, browser extensions can modify your browser's behavior, including opening specific pages on startup. Check your installed extensions and disable any that you do not recognize or that may be related to Bing.
    2. Malware or Adware: It's possible that your system may have malware or adware that is causing this behavior. Running a full scan with a reputable antivirus program can help identify and remove any unwanted software.
    3. Default Search Engine Settings: Even though you've configured Google Search as your default search engine, ensure that the settings are correctly applied. Go to Chrome settings and verify that Bing is not set as a default search engine or homepage.
    4. Startup Pages: Check your Chrome startup settings to ensure that no additional pages are set to open on startup. You can do this by going to Settings > On startup and ensuring that only your desired pages are listed.
    5. Reset Chrome Settings: If the problem persists, consider resetting Chrome to its default settings. This can resolve issues caused by misconfigurations or unwanted changes.

    By following these steps, you should be able to prevent Bing from opening unexpectedly in Google Chrome.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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