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I don't want the Firefox search bar to revert back to the default search engine. I want it to stay at the engine I last selected. How can I do this?

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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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In an older version of the search bar, whenever I switched to a different search engine (e.g. Wikipedia), then the search bar remained set to Wikipedia until I switched it again. This was great when I had a series of searches from one particular site. Now, however, it reverts back to the default search engine, and I have to manually switch to the one I want, even if I just searched in it 5 seconds earlier. I want to be able to turn off the default setting altogether.

In an older version of the search bar, whenever I switched to a different search engine (e.g. Wikipedia), then the search bar remained set to Wikipedia until I switched it again. This was great when I had a series of searches from one particular site. Now, however, it reverts back to the default search engine, and I have to manually switch to the one I want, even if I just searched in it 5 seconds earlier. I want to be able to turn off the default setting altogether.

Chosen solution

Hi, i finally figured out what the "problem" was. I'm used to using the keyboard arrows to choose a search engine and the typing in what I am looking for. I was used to the old search bar, where you could change the search engine with the arrow keys. That wasn't working for me here, so I was using the mouse to choose a search engine (which only uses that search engine once; the next search reverts to the default). I figured out that If I scroll down using ctrl+down-arrow, that changes the default search engine, which basically does what I wanted to do. So, no problem. Just different keyboard controls. :-)

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The default search engine is the engine you choose. Is it changing on you?

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.


https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/use-search-bar-firefox

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-or-remove-search-engine-firefox

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox

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Chosen Solution

Hi, i finally figured out what the "problem" was. I'm used to using the keyboard arrows to choose a search engine and the typing in what I am looking for. I was used to the old search bar, where you could change the search engine with the arrow keys. That wasn't working for me here, so I was using the mouse to choose a search engine (which only uses that search engine once; the next search reverts to the default). I figured out that If I scroll down using ctrl+down-arrow, that changes the default search engine, which basically does what I wanted to do. So, no problem. Just different keyboard controls. :-)

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That was very good work. Well done.