Change Internet Explorer in Windows Vista to Search Google by Default
Windows Vista includes Internet Explorer 7, and on a new install it defaults to Microsoft's Live Search, which is just terrible. Here's the easy steps to make Google the default search engine instead.
First, open up Internet Explorer, and then click the little search dropdown:
You should see a page with Google Web Search on it:
Click Google as fast as you can!
Make sure you check the default search provider box.
This will also work in IE7 on XP as well.
The Geek is the founder of How-To Geek and a geek enthusiast. When he's not coming up with great how-to articles, he's probably writing at his personal blog. This article was written on 01/2/07 and tagged with: Windows Vista, Network and Internet
Disclaimer: Many of our articles require making changes to your system. While we fully test and stand by our advice, there is still the potential for problems when making any configuration changes. Please be careful.
I have mess on ToshibaA130/135 from earthlink vs. vista. Will system restore fix? Error message is ConfigMgrErr31. Won't allow me to install corrected software.Thanks
in ie explorer , in the options/search ….you can set google there as default then remove live search. that way
regardless if you type an phrase to search it won't matter weather using the main address bar or the google search bar.
there is a minor problem - whenever i chosen the google default, each time i search it gives me the "google.co.uk" site. i usually need the sites that are most connected to my home country so google in the UK isnt what i need.