Add google to firefox search permanently

[reppa]

Hello,

After every update of Firefox browser I have to add Google as search engine from site:
https://www.linuxmint.com/searchengines.php

How to make this action permanent?

[Pierre]

you probably can't do that,, as each release of FireFox can reset the search back to the Firefox's default.

it's not that hard to change Firefox search engine, as it's just a few clicks of the mouse.
- your real issue, is that you are moving towards using Google,
as most folks are trying to Stop using Google.

[Moem]

- your real issue, is that you are moving towards using Google,
as most folks are trying to Stop using Google.

I respectfully disagree that this is the OP's real issue... surely everyone gets to decide that for themselves?

[MrEen]

While I'm not sure why this is happening in the OP's case, I can say that every time I've updated Firefox (via the Update Manager, never the terminal,) I've had Firefox open during the update and restart it after it finishes. I have never had to reset my default search engine (also Google) doing it this way.

[pdc_2]

Hi there reppa;

our Firefox has the menu toolbar at the top: ie I can see File then Edit then View etc ......

So I would go to EDIT then down to the bottom of the list to PREFERENCES

when you open that, you get the options in the thumbnail I enclose; choose the google site you want; then I suggest you select SHOW YOUR HOME PAGE and make that HOME PAGE be the google you want;

then select USE CURRENT PAGES from the options below ... that should work ... (it does for us)

_____________

if you don't have that EDIT ..... PREFERENCES option then go to the MENU option top right on Firefox: OPEN MENU and have a hunt around there preferences is also listed there

firefox.png

[reppa]

Thank you for replies. That is what I was afraid of - it cannot be done (since mint has contract with DDG)
In preferences I have disabled "update search engines automatically" and also have disabled FF sync. Lets see if it makes difference in next update.
MrEen, what are those settings for you?

[MrEen]

Sorry reppa, mine are enabled.

[reppa]

The problem still persist after next upgrade.

1) Computer was turned off few weeks.
2) Turned on and mintupdate GUI notified me on update check, that APT in use or similar. ps aux showed apt.daily cronjob working.
3) Mint 60.0.2 got installed in background. PS: actually I have modified automatic updates by adding mint "repos" to /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades.

Code: Select all

Unattended-Upgrade::Allowed-Origins {
	"${distro_id}:${distro_codename}";
	"${distro_id}:${distro_codename}-security";
	"linuxmint:sonya"; //just noticed it should be sylvia now but to this problem does not matter.
	"Ubuntu:xenial-security";
        "Ubuntu:xenial-updates";
        "Ubuntu:xenial";
        "Ubuntu:xenial-updates";

4) I have restarted firefox and Help - about showed version 60.0.2. Google search was still enabled.
5) here is apt/term.log

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$ grep firefox /var/log/apt/term.log
Preparing to unpack .../firefox_60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking firefox (60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1) over (60.0.1+linuxmint1+sylvia) ...
Preparing to unpack .../firefox-locale-en_60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking firefox-locale-en (60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1) over (60.0.1+linuxmint1+sylvia) ...
Preparing to unpack .../firefox-locale-et_60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking firefox-locale-et (60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1) over (60.0.1+linuxmint1+sylvia) ...
Paki firefox (60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1) paikasättimine ...
Please restart all running instances of firefox, or you will experience problems.
Paki firefox-locale-en (60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1) paikasättimine ...
Paki firefox-locale-et (60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1) paikasättimine ...

6) mint update still shows update for firefox 60.0.2 and I do Upgrade (again): Check ff.png
7) apt/term.log:

Code: Select all

Preparing to unpack .../firefox_60.0.2+linuxmint1+sylvia_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking firefox (60.0.2+linuxmint1+sylvia) over (60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1) ...
Preparing to unpack .../firefox-locale-en_60.0.2+linuxmint1+sylvia_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking firefox-locale-en (60.0.2+linuxmint1+sylvia) over (60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1) ...
Preparing to unpack .../firefox-locale-et_60.0.2+linuxmint1+sylvia_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking firefox-locale-et (60.0.2+linuxmint1+sylvia) over (60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1) ...
Paki firefox (60.0.2+linuxmint1+sylvia) paikasättimine ...
Please restart all running instances of firefox, or you will experience problems.
Paki firefox-locale-en (60.0.2+linuxmint1+sylvia) paikasättimine ...
Paki firefox-locale-et (60.0.2+linuxmint1+sylvia) paikasättimine ...

8. Google is gone from search options
9) at first got installed firefox_60.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1_amd64.deb and later firefox_60.0.2+linuxmint1+sylvia_amd64.deb

To me looks like I need to keep using only Ubuntu version of Firefox and not Mint version. How to achive that? Disable Mint update manager? Would like to use it for Mint upgrades and helps to keep track that system is current.

[karlchen]

Hello, reppa.

The problem still persist after next upgrade.
[...]
To me looks like I need to keep using only Ubuntu version of Firefox and not Mint version.
How to achive that?

Solution: >> /etc/apt/preferences/firefox-ubuntu.pref <<

HTH,
Karl

[reppa]

Hi karlchen,

Will try it and let you know.
Thanks!