Bing Desktop for Windows

Quick summary

Bing Desktop is a free Microsoft utility for Windows that places Bing’s features directly on your PC desktop. It provides a desktop search field, automatically applies Bing’s daily photo as your wallpaper, and offers quick options to make Internet Explorer your default browser, set MSN as your homepage, and use Bing as your default search provider.

Main capabilities

• A searchable box sits on your desktop and launches results in your default browser when used.
• The app can automatically update your background with Bing’s image of the day and includes an info icon that reveals image and photographer details.
• You can open the tool quickly via the Windows + H shortcut or by clicking its icon when pinned to the desktop.
• A compact, movable toolbar appears after installation so you can position it where you like on the screen.

Configuration and behaviors

• The small cog icon next to the search box opens the available settings (startup behavior, hotkey on/off, and whether to apply the daily image as wallpaper).
• You can change the default search engine from the tool, but doing so may alter the search results, news feed, and other content delivered through the app.
• There’s no built-in “skip” for the daily wallpaper; if you dislike the current image you must replace it manually with one of your own.
• Settings are intentionally limited — the goal is a lightweight, easy-to-use experience rather than a deep customization suite.

Pros and cons

• Pros:
• Lightweight and responsive, with minimal impact on system performance.
• Convenient access to Bing content without opening a browser.

• Daily high-quality images automatically applied as your desktop background.

• Cons:

• Few customization options; you cannot skip the daily wallpaper from within the app.
• Changing the default search engine can affect the content shown by the utility.
• The feature set is basic compared with more fully featured desktop customization tools.

Who should consider it

If you enjoy Bing’s daily photography and want a simple way to keep that imagery on your desktop while having quick search access, Bing Desktop is a practical choice. It’s best for users who prefer minimal configuration and a small, unobtrusive toolbar rather than extensive theming or advanced settings.

Alternative option

Recommended free alternative: the Bing app for Windows 10 — another official Microsoft solution that brings Bing content to Windows with slightly different integration and settings.