John, Opera definitely set itself as the default browser. Suddenly there were red "O"s scattered over the desktop. Click on a link in an email...POOF!!!...Opera opens up. I had no input into that.
Where I get a Google search bar showing on an freshly opened Opera tab....I wish I knew. I had already gone in and selected Bing as the default search engine (as I mentioned in my previous post). I've actually gone into settings and brought up the search engine list several times to verify that Bing is selected for the default. I can enter a search string in the address/url bar and it will Bing will search. But, a freshly opened tab window still shows a Google search bar. I don't know where I get it from, but I'd like to get rid of it. Seems a lot of the extensions available also reference Google.
Interesting to read your post regarding HP/Compaq. I'll consider an HP on my next refurb purchase...I'm happy where I'm at, for now. Dell's have always performed well for me, though.
I still need to check out the browser that WeatherHost mentioned...Seamonkey. Netscape was the first browser I ever used...been a few years back now.
Seems that Google CEO, Pichai, is getting (rightly) grilled on Capitol Hill today.
Can't explain that 'default' stuff, have
never seen anything but having a choice before (and I always add Opera to a new machine, tablet, or phone).
Either they have changed things, which I doubt, or you missed a little checkbox or something.
I always select a "custom' install option to see everything going on.
I always let MS Edge or IE be the default browser; then am careful about using links from email or whatever, always C&P them into (Opera), never just click one and let it use the default browser.
Go to "Settings" on the options menu (click the red "O" at the upper left corner), then click "advanced", and scroll down making your selections.
The ones you're concerned with are in there, even if the initial setup/install isn't what you want, and can be selected or deselected, including how a new tab looks when it opens.
You
can get rid of that Google bar on a new tab (one of the first things I get rid of). Some experimentation with seeing what some of those options do is necessary, Opera is one of the most powerful, fast, customizable browsers around and can be complicated..
Get through the initial, understandable, agro and you'll like it.
Talk about agro, in checking through the options I accidentally made Opera the default browser. You have to go to Windows "Settings/Apps or Edge to change back to Edge (or whatever you want).
Some pertinent options:
Search engine
Default browser
Instant Search
Search pop-up
Personal news (select never)
Start page (hide search box, think that that is your irritating Google bar) and speed dial (I sure don't need it), the rest off)
User interface (lots of stuff here, you have to experiment to find how you like it)
For all browsers I always make my 'start page' "about:blank"
Plus many other options I didn't mention. Adblocker and VPN are the most important IMO. With the VPN you can also select where in the world you want to be 'from', that selection is made from the blue VPN button on the (left of) address bar. Click it and see all the options, like 'optimal', Americas, Europe, Asia).
Most have a "Learn more" link right there to check them out.
Opera is super-customizable. I guess I've just got my setup worked out over the years where it's second nature.