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I used to be able to type in a word like "Lowes" in the address bar and it would bring me to www.lowes.com/ but now it does a search and gives me a page of search results. How do I change it back to going to the site instead searching?

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I used to be able to type in a word like "Lowes" in the address bar and it would bring me to www.lowes.com/ but now it does a search and gives me a page of search results. How do I change it back to going to the site instead searching?

I used to be able to type in a word like "Lowes" in the address bar and it would bring me to www.lowes.com/ but now it does a search and gives me a page of search results. How do I change it back to going to the site instead searching?

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There is a change in Firefox 4 in how Location bar search works.

  • In Firefox 3.6.x, Location bar search uses Google "Browse by name" search. With the browse by name search, it performs a Google search and
    • if there is a clear match it will take you to the site
    • otherwise it shows the Google search result page
  • Firefox 4's default is
    • to perform a Google search and present the Google search results page if you type something which is not recognized as a URL
    • you must type a complete URL, such as www.youtube.com , to go directly to the site

To get the Firefox 3.6.x behavior in Firefox 4. you need to change a hidden preference.

  1. Type about:config into the location bar and press the Enter key
  2. If you see a warning, accept it (promise to be careful)
  3. A list of preferences will open
  4. Filter = keyword.URL
  5. Double-click on that preference in the lower pane
  6. A small window will appear; copy one of the URLs below and paste into the box in that small window (or type it into the box in that window exactly as shown below):

Instead of the above, you could install this extension:

See:




You need to update the following. The Plugin version(s) shown below was/were submitted with your question and is/are out of date. You should update to avoid known security issues with the version(s) you have installed. Click on "More system info..." to the right of your question to see what was included with your question.

  • Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in, version 11.0
  • Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape "9.4.0"
  • Shockwave Flash 10.3 r181
  • Next Generation Java Plug-in 1.6.0_24 for Mozilla browsers
  1. Check your plugin versions on either of the following links':
  2. Update Shockwave for Director
    • NOTE: this is not the same as Shockwave Flash; this installs the Shockwave Player.
    • Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the link in the article below (Desktop is a good place so you can find it).
    • When the download is complete, exit Firefox (File > Exit)
    • locate and double-click in the installer you just downloaded, let the install complete.
    • Restart Firefox and check your plugins again.
    • Download link and more information: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Shockwave+plugin+with+Firefox
  3. Update Adobe Reader (PDF plugin):
    • From within your existing Adobe Reader (if you have it already installed):
      • Open the Adobe Reader program from your Programs list
      • Click Help > Check for Updates
      • Follow the prompts for updating
      • If this method works for you, skip the "Download complete installer" section below and proceed to "After the installation" below
    • Download complete installer (if you do NOT have Adobe Reader installed):
    • After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again.
  4. Update the Flash plugin to the latest version.
    • Download and SAVE to your Desktop so you can find the installer later
    • If you do not have the current version, click on the "Player Download Center" link on the "Download and information" or "Download Manual installers" below
    • After download is complete, exit Firefox
    • Click on the installer you just downloaded and install
      • Windows 7 and Vista: may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
    • Start Firefox and check your version again or test the installation by going back to the download link below
    • Download and information: http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
      • Use Firefox to go to the above site to update the Firefox plugin (will also install plugin for most other browsers; except IE)
      • Use IE to go to the above site to update the IE ActiveX
    • Download Manual installers.
  5. Update the Java plugin to the latest version.

Athraithe ag Helper7677 ar

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You can either do what the previous poster wrote or if you know the site you're looking for is a .com site you can just press Ctrl+Enter at the same time.

  • Example;
  • Type cnn
  • Press Ctrl+Enter keys
  • It will go to www.cnn.com
  • This works with pretty much all current browsers. Only drawback is it's only for .com addresses.

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