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Why was the "I'm Feeling Lucky" functionality removed from the Firefox awesomebar in all releases after version 3.6?

  • 1 reply
  • 18 have this problem
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  • Last reply by Hasan

jbyauk
jbyauk
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In Firefox 3.6, when I type something specific, like "wikipedia steve jobs" into the url bar, I am taken directly to Wikipedia's page for Steve Jobs, and if I type something less specific, I am taken to a Google search results page for what I typed in the bar (unless it was a URL, obviously); in the current version of Firefox, though, I am taken to a Google search results page for whatever I type in (again, not a URL, obviously), even if the page I am seeking is obvious-- how can I avoid this extra step and regain the Firefox 3.6 "I'm Feeling Lucky" functionality?

In Firefox 3.6, when I type something specific, like "wikipedia steve jobs" into the url bar, I am taken directly to Wikipedia's page for Steve Jobs, and if I type something less specific, I am taken to a Google search results page for what I typed in the bar (unless it was a URL, obviously); in the current version of Firefox, though, I am taken to a Google search results page for whatever I type in (again, not a URL, obviously), even if the page I am seeking is obvious-- how can I avoid this extra step and regain the Firefox 3.6 "I'm Feeling Lucky" functionality?

Chosen solution

There is a change beginning in Firefox 4 and later versions 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
  • In Firefox 4 and newer versions the 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 and newer versions, you can either change a hidden preference OR install the add-on below.

-> To change the preference, type about:config in the Location (address) bar and press the "Enter" key. When you see a warning, click I'll be careful, I promise! button.

  • In the Filter bar, type keyword.URL
  • Right click the preference keyword.URL and click Modify
  • 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):
  • Close the about:config tab and then Restart Firefox.

-> OR install this extension:

Check and tell if its working.

References:

Taken from:

Read this answer in context 👍 5

All Replies (1)

Hasan
Hasan
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Chosen Solution

There is a change beginning in Firefox 4 and later versions 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
  • In Firefox 4 and newer versions the 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 and newer versions, you can either change a hidden preference OR install the add-on below.

-> To change the preference, type about:config in the Location (address) bar and press the "Enter" key. When you see a warning, click I'll be careful, I promise! button.

  • In the Filter bar, type keyword.URL
  • Right click the preference keyword.URL and click Modify
  • 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):
  • Close the about:config tab and then Restart Firefox.

-> OR install this extension:

Check and tell if its working.

References:

Taken from:

Modified by Hasan