Windows 7 - How do I change the search provider in the taskbar address toolbar?

Somehow the search provider in the Windows 7 taskbar address toolbar has changed from Google to Yahoo. I would like to change it back but I have no idea how. I am using IE8 and the search provider there is Google; Yahoo is not even listed; yet the taskbar address toolbar always uses Yahoo ... Where is the setting I need to change?

Change or choose a search provider in Internet Explorer

<http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Change-or-choose-a-search-provider-in-Internet-Explorer>

Regards....Mike Connor

And an in house tutorial: Internet Explorer Search Providers - Add and Remove

I specifically asked how to change the search provider in the taskbar address toolbar, not in IE itself. These are not the same thing. Both above answers therefore, however well intentioned, addressed the wrong question. However, in the interim it occurred to me to seach the registry for 'Yahoo', and as a result of this and other research I am now in the position to answer my own question. Go to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DeviceVM\Browser Configuration Utility\IE. Change the AddressBarSearchName to Google and the AddressBarSearchURL to "{searchTerms} - Google Search=" (minus the quotes). And there you have it.

Sorry, the above post got garbled. Change the AddressBarSearchURL to

"http://www.google.com/search?q={searchTerms}&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-Address&ie=&oe[/URL]=" minus the quotes.

Why go to all that fuss and take a chance on messing up the Registry. Just click on the down arrow head to the right of the search box and choose the search engine you want. See screenshot:



If you click on Manage Search providers you can go on line and find dozens of add on search engines.

I'm thinking he's talking about this?

Yes, he means the OS Taskbar, not the IE taskbar;



The reference to IE8 threw me off completely.

Regards....Mike Connor

Oh Dear Please see my signature (The text) Applies to me lot!!!!

Using this as a "search" box can have unwanted side effects. When newly initialised ( Toolbar enabled), and something without a defined prefix is entered it will jump to BING in your default browser and display the search for whatever you entered.

For more information;

Windows 7 : Using Any Search Engine from the Address Bar - Microsoft Certification Examples, exercises, practises, tutorials, solutions about Windows

<http://mscerts.net/windows/Windows%207%20%20%20Using%20Any%20Search%20Engine%20from%20the%20Address%20Bar.aspx>

If you type in "msconfig" it will start msconfig. It will recognise all the "Run" commands, and with the right prefix, ( or default ) it will jump to your default browser and display the search.

Regards....Mike Connor