Making Google your IE search engine

RE: http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/howto-030.html

Okay I followed these instructions to change my default search engine to google,,,,,,,,,,,, DID'NT WORK!!

Any suggestions?

 

Hi whompuscat

Download this file then double click it.
http://www.google.com/google.reg

If you click yhe URL and a text file opens
instead of the File Download window, close it
and click the URL again.

 

picard Or, if the link opens a file, just copy and paste it without changing the spacing to Notepad and save it as a .reg file. Then open the file.

 

Thanks All, I was wondering how to do that.

J. M.

 

Well it didn't work for me. I followed the instructions and then I downloaded the link that was posted to my reply and neither worked.

 

whompuscat --You apparently are running WinXP since you first looked at instructions for XP.
I know nothing about WinXP, but I suspect the Search function is governed by Internet Explorer so maybe the following will help.
Click on Search on your Toolbar. Mine opens a panel on the left with a button for Customize. Click that. I do not know what choices you will be offered in the next window. If Google is among the search engines offered, you can make the choice there.
My dialog box does not offer Google, but at the bottom of that window is a button "Autosearch Settings ". When I click that I can set Google Sites as my "search provider for Address Bar searches ".
And if none of that works you can always make www.google.com one of your Favorites/Links (you put it in the Links folder under Favorites). If you do not yet have a Links bar as one of your Toolbars, you right click on a blank spot of one of your toolbars, and check Links from the dropdown menu. Now when you click that Google link you will open Google's home page. Just one more click than searching from the Address Bar, and you will be offered more functions, too.

 

Yes I have Windows XP. I don't have a problem with the using the search button, it does bring up google as my search engine. Actually my search engine and browser was hijacked by Web Search and I finally got that fixed. And yes I have the google toolbar on my IE. Why do I want to make my address bar use google to search you ask? Because I like to try different things and learn more about programing my computer. LOL It was nothing important just curiosity of why it did not work when I did everything it said. Thanks for yours and all other replys, I appreciate the info.

 

Hi whompuscat

The .reg file should have set Google as the default
search engine for the search button in the tool bar
and the address bar.
It does work in windows XP.
Not sure why it didn't work on yours,
unless the page hijacking has something to do with it.

PS.
I tried the instructions at the link you first posted,
Didn't work on mine either.

 

whompuscat--Not sure if you read this part of the suggestion I made
"My dialog box does not offer Google, but at the bottom left of that window is a button "Autosearch Settings ". When I click that I can set Google Sites as my "search provider for Address Bar searches ". "

 

When I open my search box and click on customize nothing happens. It does not go to any options at all.

 

whompuscat--Sorry to hear that. Sounds like some registry setting is fouled up. I could believe (somewhat) that your IE6 would perform differently than mine due to the difference in OS, but if you are offered a Customize button but nothing happens, that sounds like something is out of whack.
Do you know how to "repair" IE6 in WinXP?
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318378

 

UPDATE!!!!!! Found this completely by accident. In order for the instructions of my orginal post to work you must first go to interent options > advanced and make sure you have the "search from address bar" enabled. Now when I type in a search word in my address bar it automatically defaults to google search.

 

whompuscat--Thanks for posting. Good for you in finding the solution. Now we all have learned!