IE8 default search provider

Osem · 10-08-2011, 15:37

Hi guys. I'm using XP SP3 on this machine and IE8 which I configured to use Google UK as my default search provider as I hate Bing. I've been fiddling around with my new laptop Win7 and trying to do the same but can't seem to change from Bing. If I click on 'find more providers' I just get the Internet Explorer Gallery ad ons page from which to select but Google isn't there and I can't see any way of adding it to my list of search providers and then making it the default. Can anyone help please?

Just an update. I've fiddled about on the IE gallery ad ons page and selected GoogleUK as an 'accelerator' but have no idea what this is and still can't see Google in my list of search providers. Interestingly I have Google UK listed as a search provider on this machine but don't have it listed under 'accelerators'.

TVM as always.

Anonymouse · 10-08-2011, 15:43

There are many possible responses, but on this forum the one you're most likely to get is: Don't use IE as your browser!

Osem · 10-08-2011, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymouse

There are many possible responses, but on this forum the one you're most likely to get is: Don't use IE as your browser!

Yes I imagine there will but but since I like it and want to continue using it I'm hoping some people might be a tad more helpful and answer my question rather than suggesting browsers.

nomadking · 10-08-2011, 16:02

Tools->Manage Add-Ons->Search Providers
At bottom left is 'Find more search providers'.

Just checked it myself with adding a different search engine.

If you then click on the icon in the search bar, you are present with a list of the available ones.

Osem · 10-08-2011, 16:13

Thanks. I've got to the 'find more search providers' bit but can't see or find a way to select GoogleUK as my search provider. I know it was possible because I did it on this PC at some point. I'm wondering if IE8 is set up to make switching from Bing awkward.

Zee · 10-08-2011, 16:38

On your Win7 machine, upgrade to IE9 first

then go to http://www.iegallery.com/gb/addons/detail.aspx?id=3381 and add it as your provider.

then after it is added, go to manage add-ons > search provider > highlight google and select set as defult

Osem · 10-08-2011, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee

On your Win7 machine, upgrade to IE9 first

then go to http://www.iegallery.com/gb/addons/detail.aspx?id=3381 and add it as your provider.

then after it is added, go to manage add-ons > search provider > highlight google and select set as defult

Cheers.

Blimey I'm only just getting used to IE8

Anyway, I've done that on my Win7 laptop (not the update to IE9) and managed to get GoogleUK as an 'accelerator' but that doesn't allow me to see or select GoogleUK as my search provider. I can see no way of getting GoogleUK into the search providers list.

Osem · 11-08-2011, 14:03

Just a conclusion to this. I was uable to find any way to get find and select Google UK as a serach provider using the drop down menu provided in IE8. A long search revealed that this is a well known problem but finally provided this link however:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/.../runonce2.aspx

This is a Microsoft page which allows you to find and add a new search provider. I did this and once added was able to set GoogleUK as my default hence ridding myself of the dreaded Bing.

A happy end.

Thanks for the help guys.

Osem · 12-08-2011, 21:54

Just installed IE9 and it seems great so far. Touch wood of course...

It's taking time to get used to the touchpad and lack of mouse but at least I've discovered the equivalent of the scroll wheel on the right hand side of the touchpad and that's made navigating pages a lot easier. If anyone has any useful keyboard tips/short cuts to speed things up I'd be delighted to receive them.

Zee · 12-08-2011, 22:28

Sorry i cannot be any further help, but i do have GoogleUK as my default search provider as seen on this screen shot.

Is this also what you see on that screen?

---------- Post added at 22:28 ---------- Previous post was at 22:25 ----------

Ok, read your post again and appears to have sorted your issue.

one tip regarding tabs, if IE9 style of tabbing doesn't suit you, maybe it gets cluttered, you can always place the tabs under the search bar to give you more room. just right click in the tab area and select "show tabs on a seperate row".

Osem · 12-08-2011, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee

Sorry i cannot be any further help, but i do have GoogleUK as my default search provider as seen on this screen shot.

Is this also what you see on that screen?

---------- Post added at 22:28 ---------- Previous post was at 22:25 ----------

Ok, read your post again and appears to have sorted your issue.

one tip regarding tabs, if IE9 style of tabbing doesn't suit you, maybe it gets cluttered, you can always place the tabs under the search bar to give you more room. just right click in the tab area and select "show tabs on a seperate row".

Yes all sorted - easy when you know how and don't waste hours trying to do it via the drop down menu for search providers in IE8. Anyway I've graduated to IE9 now so........