There was a change beginning with Firefox 4 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 *'''''Firefox 4's 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. you need to change a hidden preference. #Type '''''about:config''''' into the location bar and press the Enter key #If you see a warning, accept it (promise to be careful) #A list of preferences will open #Filter = keyword.URL #Double-click on that preference in the lower pane #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): *Google "I'm Feeling Lucky": http://www.google.com/search?btnI=I%27m+Feeling+Lucky&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q= *Google "Browse by Name": http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q= Instead of the above, you could install this extension: *'''''Browse by name''''' add-on: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/browse-by-name See: *http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config *http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keyword.URL *http://kb.mozillazine.org/Location_Bar_search <br /> -------------------------- <br /> '''You need to update the following.''' The Plugin version(s) shown below was/were submitted with your question and is/are out of date. You should update to avoid known security issues with the version(s) you have installed. Click on "More system info..." to the right of your question to see what was included with your question. *Next Generation Java Plug-in 1.6.0_24 for Mozilla browsers #'''''Check your plugin versions''''' on either of the following links': #*http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/ #*https://www-trunk.stage.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/ #*'''Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions''' #*There are plugin specific testing links available from this page: #**http://kb.mozillazine.org/Testing_plugins #'''Update the [[Java]] plugin''' to the latest version. #*Download site: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html (Java Platform: Download JRE) #**'''''Be sure to <u>un-check the Yahoo Toolbar</u> option during the install if you do not want it installed. #*Also see "Manual Update" in this article to update from the Java Control Panel in Windows Control Panel: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Java+plugin+with+Firefox#Updates #* Removing old versions (if needed): http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/remove_olderversions.xml #* Remove multiple Java Console extensions (if needed): http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_:_FAQs_:_Install_Java#Multiple_Java_Console_extensions #*Java Test: http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml --------------------------- You have old Java Console versions that Java did not clean-up when updating; they can be removed. Follow the instructions below to remove them; it is a manual process. The old Java Console version in your Add-ons > Extensions are: *Java Console 6.0.07 {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0007-ABCDEFFEDCBA} *Java Console 6.0.12 {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0012-ABCDEFFEDCBA} *Java Console 6.0.13 {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0013-ABCDEFFEDCBA} *Java Console 6.0.15 {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0015-ABCDEFFEDCBA} *Java Console 6.0.17 {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0017-ABCDEFFEDCBA} *Java Console 6.0.20 {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0020-ABCDEFFEDCBA} *Java Console 6.0.21 {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0021-ABCDEFFEDCBA} *Java Console 6.0.22 {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0022-ABCDEFFEDCBA} *Java Console 6.0.24 {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0024-ABCDEFFEDCBA} **NOTE: this last one may be cleaned-out/removed when to update to the current version of Java (see above) *Instructions for removal: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Java#Multiple_Java_Console_extensions