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Firefox looking for URLs when searching in address bar

Ulthric
Ulthric
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Hello,

I recently switched over to Firefox from using Chrome.

The issue I'm having is that when I search in the address bar, if there is a '.' anywhere in the search terms, Firefox will try to look for a URL instead of just google searching like Chrome would.

In Chrome, if I type 'mongoose.js' into the address bar, it knows to search google instead of look for a URL.

In Firefox, if I type 'mongoose.js' into the address bar, it will search for a URL and give me a server not found page.

Things I've done: 1) Go to about:config and change 'browser.fixup.alternate.enabled' to false. 2) Go to about:config and made sure keyword.enabled is set to true.

I would really like to continue using Firefox instead of Chrome, but this is a convenience feature that is a necessity for me. I realize I can just add another search bar next to the address bar, but this should honestly just be a feature and I shouldn't have to add more clutter to my browser.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, I recently switched over to Firefox from using Chrome. The issue I'm having is that when I search in the address bar, if there is a '.' anywhere in the search terms, Firefox will try to look for a URL instead of just google searching like Chrome would. In Chrome, if I type 'mongoose.js' into the address bar, it knows to search google instead of look for a URL. In Firefox, if I type 'mongoose.js' into the address bar, it will search for a URL and give me a server not found page. Things I've done: 1) Go to about:config and change 'browser.fixup.alternate.enabled' to false. 2) Go to about:config and made sure keyword.enabled is set to true. I would really like to continue using Firefox instead of Chrome, but this is a convenience feature that is a necessity for me. I realize I can just add another search bar next to the address bar, but this should honestly just be a feature and I shouldn't have to add more clutter to my browser. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

All Replies (6)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Unless there's a new workaround, I think you need to add a character that is illegal in a URL, for example:

  • 'mongoose.js (works at the beginning only)
  • "mongoose.js
  • mongoose.js"
McCoy
McCoy
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In addition to the above (a little nitpicking) :

You could just type  : mongoosejs

The correct URL to that site is :

https://mongoosejs.com/ .......

Ulthric
Ulthric Umnikazi wombuzo
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McCoy said

In addition to the above (a little nitpicking) : You could just type  : mongoosejs The correct URL to that site is : https://mongoosejs.com/ .......

I could just type that, but it's beside the point that Firefox is still looking for URLs when it shouldn't be.

McCoy
McCoy
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It's not just Firefox who does this - other browsers show the same 'behavior'.

Instead of having to type an extra character, it would be easier and faster to leave a space in front or after the dot.

To use the 'moose.js' again : type moose .js or moose. js

(even though it is moosejs - still nitpicking, but you get the gist)

Edit : typo ....

Okulungisiwe ngu McCoy

k.alhooti
k.alhooti
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McCoy said

It's not just Firefox who does this - other browsers show the same 'behavior'. Instead of having to type an extra character, it would be easier and faster to leave a space in front or after the dot. To use the 'moose.js' again : type moose .js or moose. js (even though it is moosejs - still nitpicking, but you get the gist) Edit : typo ....

Thats is not true, chrome does not do that at all.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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For what it's worth: this also works in recent versions:

  •  ?mongoose.js
  • mongoose.js?