When typing into the address bar everything goes to bing search. I tried the solution offered a couple years ago about modifying the keyword.url string
When typing into the address bar everything goes to bing search. About 3 years ago others had the same problem. The solution seemed to be to modify the keyword.url string ( in about:config) to http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=
I tried that but the original string returned when I reopened firefox. How do I solve this annoying problem? I think it began when I updated to version 23.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Vinny
Chosen solution
Starting with Firefox 23 the keyword.URL pref is no longer supported and it is no longer possible to specify the search engine for the location bar that way.
In Firefox 23+ the search engine used in the location bar is the search engine that is selected in the Search Bar.
Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).
- Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window.
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes
Note that your System Details List shows that you have a user.js file in the profile folder to initialize some prefs on each start of Firefox.
The user.js file is only present if you or other software has created it, so normally it wouldn't be there. You may want to check its content with a plain text editor if you didn't create this file yourself.
The user.js file is read each time you start Firefox and initializes preferences to the value specified in this file, so involved preferences can only be changed temporarily for the current session.
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Install https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/searchreset/, that should reset your prefs to Google.
Chosen Solution
Starting with Firefox 23 the keyword.URL pref is no longer supported and it is no longer possible to specify the search engine for the location bar that way.
In Firefox 23+ the search engine used in the location bar is the search engine that is selected in the Search Bar.
Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).
- Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window.
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes
Note that your System Details List shows that you have a user.js file in the profile folder to initialize some prefs on each start of Firefox.
The user.js file is only present if you or other software has created it, so normally it wouldn't be there. You may want to check its content with a plain text editor if you didn't create this file yourself.
The user.js file is read each time you start Firefox and initializes preferences to the value specified in this file, so involved preferences can only be changed temporarily for the current session.
It turns out that I had two prefs.js files in my profile. I followed the directions given in the link, http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved, that you sent. Renamed each of them (for backup), restarted firefox and problem is gone. Of course I don't know how many others I have created but I am very grateful for your help.
Thanks very much,
Vinny
Thanks for your suggestion. It turns out that I had corrupt prefs.js files in my profile which another responder told me how to fix it. Thanks for your help.
Vinny