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): * 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= * Close the '''about:config''' tab and then Restart Firefox. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -> OR install this extension: * Browse By Name 1.1 * https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/browse-by-name Check and tell if its working. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ References: * http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config * http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keyword.URL * http://kb.mozillazine.org/Location_Bar_search Taken from: * https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/876502