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Focus lost on Google's input box on its home page

  • 4 replies
  • 5 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by savvydan

BigRedSwitch
BigRedSwitch
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This question has been asked before but is locked so I'm having to raise a new query. The original query was: "When firefox is opened to Google's home page, it does not set focus to the text box. I have to click in or select the text box before my typing shows up." The user who raised that query was on v4.7, I think; I'm using v13.0.1 so why does the problem still exist? I open Google along with the BBC home page when I start Firefox. If I open Google in a new tab the focus is set correctly on the text box. This is very annoying. Anyone have any ideas on how to get round this?

This question has been asked before but is locked so I'm having to raise a new query. The original query was: "When firefox is opened to Google's home page, it does not set focus to the text box. I have to click in or select the text box before my typing shows up." The user who raised that query was on v4.7, I think; I'm using v13.0.1 so why does the problem still exist? I open Google along with the BBC home page when I start Firefox. If I open Google in a new tab the focus is set correctly on the text box. This is very annoying. Anyone have any ideas on how to get round this?

Chosen solution

about:home displays the default homepage, you could then have chosen to set that as one of your homepages. The default home page opens with the cursor on the search bar, that does not always happen with the other pages.

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All Replies (4)

John99
John99
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The answer is to use the standard Firefox default home page obtainable by keying into the location bar where web addresses are typed about:home

  • I imagine the post you have found is this one /questions/817848
  • There was a long discussion on a similar subject (despite the title) in
    "How do I get my home page in a new tab in firefox 13"
    /questions/929915

You may also be interested in using the search bar,it is possible to choose your own search engine, or one of the default selection. The focus on the search bar can be achieved with a keyboard shortcut usually Ctrl + K

BigRedSwitch
BigRedSwitch Question owner
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I tried entering "about:home" but I fail to see how that will help. However, I think I have solved it! Originally, my tabs were Google followed by the BBc home page. I've reversed these and all seems ok now.

John99
John99
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Chosen Solution

about:home displays the default homepage, you could then have chosen to set that as one of your homepages. The default home page opens with the cursor on the search bar, that does not always happen with the other pages.

savvydan
savvydan
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I'm modifying about:config browser.newtab.url to: https://www.google.com/webhp?tbs=qdr:y

Is there a parameter to switch focus from address bar to google texbox? Example: https://www.google.com/webhp?tbs=qdr:y, (move cursor to textbox).

Goal: 

    Use Firefox 17.0.1
    Use www.google.com
    Use 'past year' search default
    Use crtl-T

Doesn't Work: 

    Disable Firefox extensions/ return to default browser
    Use "My Homepage" plugin
    Use https://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0
    Change google setttings to "instant never"
    Use iGoogle
    Use about:home
    Search from address bar

Need detailed tutorial: 

    about:config
    new string 
    capability.policy.default.HTMLInputElement.focus