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How to disable Google auto-complete and instant search functions

  • 4 replies
  • 12 have this problem
  • 45 views
  • Last reply by Kev9

Kev9
Kev9
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Until the last week, I have been successfully using http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0 to disable Google's insistence on forcing users' searches to use the infuriating auto-complete and Instant Search functions (the option to disable the former was removed by Google from Preferences while the latter doesn't retain the disabling in Preferences). However, Google now seems to have beaten my first choice workaround. Before I switch to one last possible workaround, I wondered if Firefox users knew of any others? Failures so far are: *http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0 *www.google.co.uk/firefox *https://encrypted.google.com/

Until the last week, I have been successfully using http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0 to disable Google's insistence on forcing users' searches to use the infuriating auto-complete and Instant Search functions (the option to disable the former was removed by Google from Preferences while the latter doesn't retain the disabling in Preferences). However, Google now seems to have beaten my first choice workaround. Before I switch to one last possible workaround, I wondered if Firefox users knew of any others? Failures so far are: *http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0 *www.google.co.uk/firefox *https://encrypted.google.com/

Chosen solution

You're welcome

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All Replies (4)

cor-el
cor-el
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You can use:

Those two do not show suggestions, but also do not have autocomplete=off in case you are remembering form data

  • Tools > Options > Privacy > History: "Remember search and form history"
Kev9
Kev9 Question owner
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Thank you! Aren't you clever? The https:// works, whereas the http:// stopped working last week and I never thought about https: Now, swearing and tension levels in my home near Manchester in the UK have dropped dramatically, so thank you again kind "cor-el." Kevin

cor-el
cor-el
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Chosen Solution

You're welcome

Kev9
Kev9 Question owner
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Thanks but Google forcing users (Jan 2012) to adopt iGoogle has stopped that work-around from working. I now just don't sign into Google any more. I lose the top bar of Web, Images, News etc. And I have to use Safari to make Calendar changes and setting up Alerts. But anything is better - for me - than using auto-complete which is so similar to the infuriating predictive text. I started off using the very first Beta Google years ago. Thought it was great for simplicity and clarity. But Google has lost its way and forgotten "If it works, don't fix it."