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My problem deals with the url bar.

  • 3 replies
  • 13 have this problem
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  • Last reply by Helper7677

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Before switching to 5.0, I was able to type in let's say something like, "Imdb.com jack nicholson" into the url bar & I would end up on the actors Imdb profile, but now since I switched, it just re directs me the google search for his page. So, is there something I can do or re config to back to the way it once was? Thanks!

Before switching to 5.0, I was able to type in let's say something like, "Imdb.com jack nicholson" into the url bar & I would end up on the actors Imdb profile, but now since I switched, it just re directs me the google search for his page. So, is there something I can do or re config to back to the way it once was? Thanks!

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Before switching to 5.0, I was able to type in let's say something like, "Imdb.com jack nicholson" into the url bar & I would end up on the actors Imdb profile.

This is probably because that page (Imdb.com jack nicholson) was stored in your history. When you updated Firefox your history got deleted.

Now it just redirects me to the google search for his page. This is because Google is the default search engine in Firefox and if you type anything other than a web address, it will search those terms in Google and will display the search results.

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Thanks, but that's not the case. I have it set to delete history when I close out every time & most of the time it would the first time visiting a certain site, so it wouldn't be in my history. I know google is fox's default search engine.

Thanks for trying to help out thou.

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There is a change beginning 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 OR install the add-on below.

To change the 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 PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape "9.3.4"
  1. Check your plugin versions on either of the following links':
  2. 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.

Modified by Helper7677