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Cannot change search engine or restore default

  • 5 replies
  • 68 have this problem
  • 15 views
  • Last reply by glenn6990

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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

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

All Replies (5)

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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/

Modified by Xircal

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Thanks, but my issue is with the search box in the top right of screen - not the default search or homepage. This did not help.

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I had to remove entries from the registry to restore firefox to a blank slate.

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Justern, I have the same problem - I want to change the default search engine in the top right of the toolbar. Did you get a useable answer to your question?

Modified by glenn6990