Cannot change search engine or restore default

I am unable to change, add, remove my search providers.
I have tried safe mode and have tried resetting them by way of the search engine.
I am running FirFox 4.1

To revert to Google as your preferred search engine, please do the following.
* In the location bar, type '''about:config''' and hit Enter.
* In the filter at the top, type: '''keyword.URL'''
* Double click it and remove whatever's in there and replace it with http://www.google.com/search?q=
The URL to add in "keyword.URL" becomes a link in this post, so right click it and choose "''Copy Link Location''" to copy it to the Windows clipboard. Then hit CTRL+V to paste it. Saves you having to type the whole thing.
'''To reset your home page, do the following'''.
* Go to the site you want to set as your homepage.
* Click the orange Firefox button and go to '''Options '''| '''Options '''| '''General '''
* Make sure it says "''Show My Homepage''" in the first dropdown menu.
* Click the button called "'''Use Current Pages'''" to set the homepage to the one you have on the screen.
After you complete the above steps, install this add-on to prevent another search engine from modifying your preferences: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/browserprotect/

Similar Messages

  • Please create "on-the-fly change search engine" option ALSO for when we mark [word] in a text, then right-click, then choose "Search [engine x] for [word]"?

    In Firefox 34, you have changed the search bar.
    The new style is perfect for those who always starts by typing in, letter for letter, the search term.
    People such as myself, we almost never type in the search term,
    but instead we mark a [word] in a text, right-click this marked [word], then select "Search [engine x] for [word]".
    Speaking for myself, I have now a total of 36 search engine providers, but I usually only use 7 of those.
    I use "Wikipedia (English)" most of the time..
    - but then I will switch to e.g. "AniDB" and use that one for 1 hour..
    - or switch to "Google" and use that one for 30 minutes..
    - or switch to "Wikipedia (Norwegian)" and use that one for 2 hours..
    - or switch to "Wiktionary (English)" and use that one for 15 minutes..
    ..and then I will switch back to "Wikipedia (English)" again.
    The way the search bar was in Firefox 33 and earlier, I could very easily switch the default search engine.
    Just one click to open the drop-down menu, then choose one.
    In Firefox 34, I have to choose "Tools" -> "Options", the "Search" tab..
    - before I can THEN click to open the drop-down menu.
    4 clicks instead of 1, that's like 400% more work..!
    Also, the fact that I have to go into "Options".. make this..
    ..I don't know how to put it, it's a kind of psychological barrier that I have to overcome each time.
    I mean, before Firefox 34, I went to the "Options" window like maybe 4 times each YEAR,
    now, I have to go there 4 times each DAY..!
    I am not saying you should revert to the old style Search bar,
    as I feel that those you are typing search terms are indeed very happy for this new style..
    Instead, I think of 2 possible ways to create happiness also for us that do mark text and choose "Search.."
    1) An "on-the-fly change search engine" option ALSO for when we mark [word] in a text, then right-click, then choose "Search [engine x] for [word]".
    This could work as a cascading menu option, where it says..
    Search for [word] in -> [engine x]
    ..and where [engine x] was the current default engine, and all the other engines was listed underneath,
    just like the drop-down menu when you switch the default engine.
    Additionally, you could have an on / off checkbox in the "Options" "Search" tab, where you had this option:
    "Change default search engine when choosing another from the drop-down menu"
    THIS would actually be PERFECT.. It would be even much BETTER than in Firefox 33 and earlier..! :-)
    2) If there are things with the first option that don't work (something I've missed etc),
    then maybe you could have an on / off checkbox in the "Options" "Search" tab, where you had this option:
    "Use old-style search bar"
    This would be off by default, but when switched on, it would give us the old Firefox 33 style Search bar.

    Strongly recommend Context Search extension which will solve your problem
    - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/context-search/?src=search

  • When a site is not found from a main bar entry (not searchbar) how to change search engine

    If you type 'not found item' into the main url address bar (not into the search bar), then firefox defaults to google.com and shows you the entry there. How can I change the search engine used by default there? - It is not related to the 'top' search engine you set for the search bar...so I am hoping there is somewhere else it is set rather than hard-coded?
    Thanks

    See [[Location bar search]] for details of how to change this.

  • How can we change search engine using DISM

    sir how can we change search engine from "bing" to "Google" in offline image using DISM. what is that DISM command?

    Hi,
    There is no such command to achieve what you want.
    Regards,
    Blair Deng
    Blair Deng
    TechNet Community Support

  • Changing search engine box also changes default search engine in URL bar

    I just updated to 23.0, and for some reason changing the search engine in the search box also changes the default search engine in the URL bar as well. I'm not sure if this is intended functionality (I hope it isn't), but it is kind of irritating. I wasn't sure if it was related to an addon I installed around the same time, so I tried disabling that, but the problem was still there; therefore, I'm tentatively assuming it has to do with 23.0.

    I'd like to cast my (imaginary) vote in opting out of this behaviour. I hate it.
    We previously had the option of two search bars. Now it's reduced to one.
    The URL bar should be for URLs with default to google for real name searches. That's what makes sense. Not having typos look up YouTube, The PirateBay or whatever you have specced in the Search Bar.
    Really, really, stupid change. At least give us the option of restoring the old system.

  • Changing search engine, but I cannot enter "about:config"

    After installing Bing by accident, I cannot search using the location bar. Searches are redirected to the Bing search engine. I've tried to solve it with the help right here (http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Searches%20are%20redirected%20to%20another%20site), but I am not able to open about:config. I get the warning message for a few seconds, but then it disappears without entering the configuration.
    So, I've got two questions: How can I enter about:config. And how can I change this search engine and delete Bing?

    1) Please enter [[safe mode]], choose to disable all addons and restart.
    2) After that try to follow the steps [http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Searches%20are%20redirected%20to%20another%20site#w_only-location-bar-searches-are-affected here] and see whether '''about:config''' opens.
    3) The first step at (2) is to change the Location bar search engine; this is explained again at [[Location bar search#w_changing-the-keyword-service]].
    Please let us know of further progress on the problem.

  • How do I change search engines if /searchreset doesn't work?

    I just upgraded to FF 23, and either that or some other upgrade changed my default search engine to Yahoo. I want to change it back to Google, which I think is the default. Another Support thread led me to https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/searchreset/, but that didn't work. I went into about:config and changed Yahoo to Google on several lines, but that did nothing. I tried to change searchreset.backup.keyword.URL and keyword.URL, but they would not change from the Yahoo setting.
    Not only is my default stuck at Yahoo, but even if I click the down arrow in the search box, I can't select a different search engine manually. The drop-down shows me a list of search engines, but selecting one of them does nothing. Help?

    Here is what I did and worked for me:
    Firefox
    help
    Troubleshooting Information
    Click Reset Firefox
    Now my search engine is Google.....
    As far as I know reseting did not affect any of my settings
    All my bookmarks are there.
    Try it

  • Ever since about 1 year ago I cannot sort search engines (ctrl+k) in a way other than alphabetically. I used to be able to. how to fix it?

    As per article:
    https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/search-bar-easily-choose-your-search-engine?esab=a&as=aaq#w_re-order-search-engines
    Re-order search engines doesn't work for me. It always reverts back to alphabetically. It's been going on for a year now and lots of FF upgrades. How do you fix it? Regards.

    Hello,
    Certain Firefox problems can be solved by performing a ''Clean reinstall''. This means you remove Firefox program files and then reinstall Firefox. Please follow these steps:
    '''Note:''' You might want to print these steps or view them in another browser.
    #Download the latest Desktop version of Firefox from http://www.mozilla.org and save the setup file to your computer.
    #After the download finishes, close all Firefox windows (click Exit from the Firefox or File menu).
    #Delete the Firefox installation folder, which is located in one of these locations, by default:
    #*'''Windows:'''
    #**C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
    #**C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
    #*'''Mac:''' Delete Firefox from the Applications folder.
    #*'''Linux:''' If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it - see [[Installing Firefox on Linux]]. If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the [http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop Firefox download page], simply remove the folder ''firefox'' in your home directory.
    #Now, go ahead and reinstall Firefox:
    ##Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard.
    ##Once the wizard is finished, choose to directly open Firefox after clicking the Finish button.
    More information about reinstalling Firefox can be found [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-and-diagnose-firefox-problems?esab=a&s=troubleshooting&r=3&as=s#w_5-reinstall-firefox here].
    <b>WARNING:</b> Do not run Firefox's uninstaller or use a third party remover as part of this process, because that could permanently delete your Firefox data, including but not limited to, extensions, cache, cookies, bookmarks, personal settings and saved passwords. <u>These cannot be recovered unless they have been backed up to an external device!</u>
    Please report back to see if this helped you!
    Thank you.

  • Change search engine

    When I type a search query in the browser line (not the search window on the right) the search engine used is Ask.com. I have set Google as my default search engine for the search window on the upper right. How do I change Ask to Google for queries typed in the browser line?
    Ken Cochran
    [email protected]

    I've read about Glims, but I can't believe you have to go third party for such a simple request.
    That, or another 3rd party extension is the only way to do it.

  • Change search engine on about:home page to startpage or ixquick

    Change the default search engine in about:home to duckduckgo works perfect for me. I changed in the about:config settings the value browser.search.defaultenginename from "Google" to "DuckDuckGo". But when I change the value to "Startpage HTTPS - Deutsch" or "Ixquick HTTPS - Deutsch" it didn't work.
    Can somebody help me?
    Thanks
    lemon_grass

    I tried v25 and there it works perfect!
    @Waka_...
    But it took me almost over two hours till I got aurora worked on any of my OS's. For me, somebody who never had something to do with firefox aurora, this is much more difficult than change a search engine.
    First I didn't found the x86_64 Version of Aurora for Linux, then I tried it on Win7 32bit. There the installation file asked me for an user "administrator" with password. But I have no user called "administrator". I have my user "XXX" with admin rights but it didn't worked. I don't know why. After while I tried it again on Mint and so on, and so on ...
    What I want to say, next time please post a link to a tutorial, when you say to somebody "try it with aurora"
    I really appreciate your help! This is only my answer because I don't want that this happens to somebody else.
    thanks
    lemon_grass

  • Tried to change search engines in firefox 34 and lost all of them and could not get them back, finally went back to version 33.how do you fix that problem

    I did not want yahoo as my default search engine. I want to be able to pick and choose as always. When i clicked on a different search engine i lost all functionality of the search bar and it became blank.I,ve gone back to 33 till i can get a fix for the problem. I would appreciate your help.

    If you want to restore the previously used standalone window to manage search engines then you can toggle this pref to false with a middle-click on the about:config page.
    about:config page: browser.search.showOneOffButtons = false
    You need to close and restart Firefox to make this work properly.
    In the address bar, type '''about:preferences#search<enter>'''
    If you miss being able to switch search engines without going
    crazy with menus, try this out;
    '''[https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/context-search/ Context Search]''' {web link}
    Expands the context menu's 'Search for' item into a list of
    installed search engines, allowing you to choose the engine
    you want to use for each search.

  • Why can't I change search engines for right click?

    I used to be able to determine the search engine used for highlight/right click searching by selecting from the drop down menu in the search box. Whichever was the active search engine was the right click search engine. Firefox 34 only allows the default engine for right click. This is awful, it is one of the most important features to me in Firefox, depending on what I was searching for I often switched between various engines. Why the decision to reduce usability? I probably will go back to Opera if this function isn't re-instated.
    BTW, never in a million years will I use Yahoo. i made a habit of deleting it from my list of search engines, it always had a sort of National Enquirer feel about it. I also made a point of ignoring Yahoo Answers if they came up in a query. The amount of wrong information was stunning.

    The recent changes to the Search Bar are undoubtedly causing much consternation for some users. It was much easier to select a different search engine from the Search Bar with the old scheme
    Check out this add-on - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/context-search/

  • Cannot access search engine - maybe "search" is not recognised as a context

    Hello,
    I cannot access the search engine
    http://server:port/search
    doest not work.
    Maybe it is linked to another problem:
    I wanted to make a mapping between a
    context and a directory,
    but "additional directory document" does not work.
    So I created another Web Application
    (in web-apps.xml)
    so maybe search is not recognised as a context.
    well I don't know, and I wish someone had this problem and has a clue.
    Thank you very much in advance,
    Pascal

    Hello,
    first, thanks a lot for answering,
    and sorry for the poor description
    - the request to access the search functions of Sun One
    is: http://server:port/search
    - If I define a web app (in web-apps.xml)
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    Pascal

  • Cannot select search engine--page just flashes

    When I type in a search I am directed to the select search engine page which just flashes off and on--I cannot make a selection. Same result with Safe Mode. I am able to use Advanced Search.

    It is possible, but not very intuitive. Needed to play around quite a while and also the help of a friend.
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