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After downloading Firefox 4, when I type something in the address bar it used to go straight to the site, now it goes to google. How do I change it back?

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  • 108 have this problem
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  • Last reply by gjain32

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For example: I could type 'facebook' in the address bar and it would automatically take me to facebook.com Now it takes me to google.com and shows me the search results. I want Firefox to take me directly to the page like before I installed Firefox 4.

For example: I could type 'facebook' in the address bar and it would automatically take me to facebook.com Now it takes me to google.com and shows me the search results. I want Firefox to take me directly to the page like before I installed Firefox 4.

Chosen solution

I absolutely hate that new feature. Here is how to turn it off though:

Go to "about:config" in the URL type in "keyword" in the Filter bar locate the "keyword.enabled" property double click it to ensure the value is set to FALSE

from now on Firefox will take you directly to a website when you type it in, instead of doing a search for it. Be aware though, if the word you type in doesn't lead to a direct website then you wont go anywhere.

To counter that, for example if you want to go to Facebook.com but don't want to change anything in the Firefox settings, hold the "Ctrl" button on Windows when entering a URL. That will automatically add the ".com" to the end of whatever word you typed in. Note this adds only the ".com" and will not automatically recognize ".edu", ".gov", etc.

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All Replies (7)

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You can modify the pref keyword.URL on the about:config page to use a Google Lucky search.

To open the about:config page, type about:config in the location (address) bar and press the "Enter" key, just like you type the url of a website to open a website.
If you see a warning then you can confirm that you want to access that page.


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Several clients and I think this is great that you've changed the default. Going directly to a site has significant consequences for some businesses, especially for those whose competitors may have the geographic keyword for their location in their name, completely circumventing all the search optimization of everyone else on first page of Google. Readers, please leave your browsers set as they are so you see choices.

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Chosen Solution

I absolutely hate that new feature. Here is how to turn it off though:

Go to "about:config" in the URL type in "keyword" in the Filter bar locate the "keyword.enabled" property double click it to ensure the value is set to FALSE

from now on Firefox will take you directly to a website when you type it in, instead of doing a search for it. Be aware though, if the word you type in doesn't lead to a direct website then you wont go anywhere.

To counter that, for example if you want to go to Facebook.com but don't want to change anything in the Firefox settings, hold the "Ctrl" button on Windows when entering a URL. That will automatically add the ".com" to the end of whatever word you typed in. Note this adds only the ".com" and will not automatically recognize ".edu", ".gov", etc.

Modified by bebaps

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Even though I understand your logic Madriverweb, users don't really care about the consequences for businesses. As a Firefox user, I expect the browser to cater to the user experience and not some businesses bottom line. Sorry if it takes potential clientele from you, but I know I am not alone in my preference

Modified by bebaps

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Thank you bebaps for your help!!

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@lucretia no problem. be sure to check my updated response

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Just go to about:config & filter keyword.URL & now just Modify it to http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=

don't change the any other thing. now open new tab & type.

You get the url page..;)


http://kb.mozillazine.org/Location_Bar_search