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I want the Google search from the default new tabs to actually work

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  • Last reply by judydevore

judydevore
judydevore
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I'm setting up a new computer. I have Firefox set up to have new tabs be the default Firefox home page. Those new pages display a Google search section but when I type in that section, the text switches to the address bar for the search. How can I make the search happen on the page, not the address bar? Under Settings/Search, it has a search setting section with only 2 choices - Use the address bar for search and navigation & Add search bar in toolbar. I've tried it both ways, and the same thing happens. My previous computer (both are Windows 10) did not have this problem. I could type/search in the Google search section. Thoughts?

I'm setting up a new computer. I have Firefox set up to have new tabs be the default Firefox home page. Those new pages display a Google search section but when I type in that section, the text switches to the address bar for the search. How can I make the search happen on the page, not the address bar? Under Settings/Search, it has a search setting section with only 2 choices - Use the address bar for search and navigation & Add search bar in toolbar. I've tried it both ways, and the same thing happens. My previous computer (both are Windows 10) did not have this problem. I could type/search in the Google search section. Thoughts?

Chosen solution

You can set browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar = false on the about:config page.

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can click the button to "Accept the Risk and Continue".

DISCLAIMER: modifying prefs directly via the about:config page is not officially supported and there is no guarantee that this will keep working in future releases or otherwise "breaks" Firefox.

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All Replies (2)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

You can set browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar = false on the about:config page.

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can click the button to "Accept the Risk and Continue".

DISCLAIMER: modifying prefs directly via the about:config page is not officially supported and there is no guarantee that this will keep working in future releases or otherwise "breaks" Firefox.

judydevore
judydevore Question owner
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Thank you! That worked.