Default Search Provider URL broken for Google in MDM managed Microsoft Edge

Question

We set the default search provider URL and URL for suggestions to Google via Intune/MEM (like I suspect many organisations do) and we've been running this way for over a year with no issues. All of a sudden every single search query is appended with "oq=" and then my search/keywords again which in turn is messing up the search. For example

If I wanted to search "hello" my search query ends up being "hellooq=hello" - WTH has caused this all of a sudden?!

Interestingly if I revert the Intune/MEM config profile and instead allow the user to override, you can then manually set the search provider to Google and it works as expected - I have no idea what's going and surely this is a bug?

Any ideas?

• I've tried all of the expected, resetting browser settings etc - keep in mind these are MEM/MDM managed devices and we have total control over them. I have confirmed this issue is affecting all devices in our organisation.

Answer 1

@Anonymous , our policy forces the search engine so it is applied under Computer Configuration > Microsoft Edge > Default Search Provider > Default search provider URL

As suggested above, I originally tested https://www.google.com/search?q={searchTerms} which worked and then changed to https://www.google.co.uk/search?q={searchTerms} which also works.

Answer 2

Hi Gary,

You are certainly not alone! I have updated the search URL for 'Default Search provider URL' to https://www.google.com/search?q={searchTerms} but still have the same issues although I am still using the settings that allows a user to override, which setting type are you using? User/Device and User can override or cannot?

I figured it was an Edge update - super annoying.

Thanks

Answer 3

You're not alone, and the change may have originated at Google: https://twitter.com/powers_hell/status/1495906940433670148

Answer 4

Experiencing the exact same problem. I also have Edge version 98.0.1108.56 controlled by MEM/Intune.

Answer 5

Thanks Gary, sounds like the MEM equivelant is the setting that does not allow users to override, I will revert my settings back to that and use the URL you have suggested and test my end, thanks for taking the time to reply