I would like google to be my search engine automatically when I open a new tab. How ?
When I open a new tab, the search bar automatically defaults to "Search" even though I chose Google as my default search engine. Why cant I just choose what ever search engine I want and keep it that way until I decide to change it to something else.
All Replies (3)
Try to click the search icon (red pointer), and click "change search configurations" or go to the icon with the three lines (green pointer) and look for the settings icon (gear icon), click "Search" and then choose the search engine you want.
Some ad-ware changes the default settings without the user knowing.
You may have ad / mal-ware. Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
Run most or all of the listed malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.
Bookmark and use this; Download the Mozilla Search Reset {web link} This add-on is very simple: on installation, it backs up and then resets your search preferences and home page to their default values, and then uninstalls itself. This affects the search bar, URL bar searches, and the home page.
Separate Issue; Your System Details shows;
Installed Plug-ins
Shockwave Flash 11.6 r602 Shockwave Flash 18.0 r0
Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in, version 11.6 (OutOfDate)
Having more than one version of a program may cause issues.
You must remove the older programs. Then get the current full installer.
Note: Edge on Win10 does not use ActiveX version but its own Flash.
Flash: Grab the uninstaller from here: Uninstall Flash Player | Windows Uninstall Flash Player | Mac
Then reinstall the latest version.
Flash Player Version 18.0.0.232
https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html
Note: Windows users must download the “Internet Explorer”
and “Plugin-based browsers” installers.
Shockwave Director: Shockwave Standalone Installer / Uninstaller{web link} Shockwave Director Version 12.1.9.159 http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/
You can use the Keyword Search extension to specify which search engine to use for searching via the location/address bar and search bars on built-in about pages.