HOW-TO: Google Search in Firefox Address Bar

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wmeler
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HOW-TO: Google Search in Firefox Address Bar

Post by wmeler »

As of today, Firefox that comes with LinuxMint does a duckduckgo search if you type in the address bar.
Here's how to switch it to google search instead:

1) in the address bar, type "about:config" <ENTER>
2) It will warn you not that you are voiding something. Click "I’ll be careful, I Promise!" (or something similar)
2) in the entry for Search, type "keyword.URL"
3) right click on the "keyword.URL" entry that results and choose "Reset"
4) Open a New Tab and type your search into the address bar. Done.


I'm posting this because it took me a while to figure out how to do this.
Last edited by xenopeek on Wed Jun 12, 2013 12:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Moved here as it is a howto.
My posts:
search.php?search_id=egosearch

Linux Mint 21 (Vanessa) - Cinnamon
palo
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Location: Walking on sunshine

Re: HOW-TO: Google Search in Firefox Address Bar

Post by palo »

wmeler wrote:As of today, Firefox that comes with LinuxMint does a duckduckgo search if you type in the address bar.
Here's how to switch it to google search instead:

1) in the address bar, type "about:config" <ENTER>
2) It will warn you not that you are voiding something. Click "I’ll be careful, I Promise!" (or something similar)
2) in the entry for Search, type "keyword.URL"
3) right click on the "keyword.URL" entry that results and choose "Reset"
4) Open a New Tab and type your search into the address bar. Done.
Are you sure? I typed "fields" and got a DDG search for fields. Then followed your directions and now when I type "fields" it goes to "http://www.macys .com" :cry:

Pat

Ps did a little research and what worked for me is:
right click as you describe but instead of reset choose Modify and then change it to:
"https://www.google.com/search?&q=" without quotes
wmeler
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Re: HOW-TO: Google Search in Firefox Address Bar

Post by wmeler »

oddly...it worked for me, but then when i just re-did it...it didn't.

here's the solution, regardless:

[url]http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/1109[/url]

hope that helps, and sorry.
My posts:
search.php?search_id=egosearch

Linux Mint 21 (Vanessa) - Cinnamon
palo
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Level 4
Posts: 476
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:28 am
Location: Walking on sunshine

Re: HOW-TO: Google Search in Firefox Address Bar

Post by palo »

wmeler wrote:oddly...it worked for me, but then when i just re-did it...it didn't.

here's the solution, regardless:

[url]http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/1109[/url]

hope that helps, and sorry.
Stuff happens. Not even sure about that toot - I prefer https over http for a good false sense of security.

Pat
wmeler
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Posts: 108
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:46 pm
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Re: HOW-TO: Google Search in Firefox Address Bar

Post by wmeler »

For what it's worth... tried this on a brand new install on an old computer and my directions worked fine.
Still, that was weird.
My posts:
search.php?search_id=egosearch

Linux Mint 21 (Vanessa) - Cinnamon
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