With Yahoo and Google as the definitive top two search engines, Microsoft would eventually have to cut ties with using the former's search results, and that came not too long after the MSN Search revamp.

In 2005, Microsoft began using in-house technology for MSN Search, and about a year later, the company rebranded the search engine into Windows Live Search. Technically both search engines were available at the same time, but in September of 2006, Windows Live Search fully replaced MSN Search. Microsoft's latest attempt to catch up to Yahoo and Google brought another new design, new search tools, image search, better search results, and a Windows Live Toolbar. Essentially, Windows Live Search was not only supposed to be a competitor but also a product that complimented Microsoft's Windows operating system and Office software.

However, even then, Windows Live Search was not long for this world, and it was officially replaced by Bing in May 2009. Although Microsoft continued the Windows Live brand for a few more years, Bing officially became the company's go-to search engine, and one that finally stuck around long term. Funny enough, a few months after Bing's debut, Yahoo teamed up with Microsoft to go toe-to-toe with Google. Ultimately, they couldn't kill the search engine god, but the fact that it's a distant number two in the race is a small win.