NOW, How do I "Create Your Own Search Provider" in IE8?

gcd · Jan 18, 2012

Previously in IE8, there was a great option that allowed users to create a search provider if one could not be found in IE's list of add-on search providers. You can see a good overview of how it USED to be done at CNET: Add search engines in Internet Explorer 8 | CNET TV - CNET. As this article states, "If you don't see your favorite. Scroll to the bottom and click "Create your own search provider."" IE has changed how you add search providers and there is no longer a list to scroll. Apprently, IE has removed the link to launch the dialog box to "Create Your Own Search Provider" (I cant find this link). Using IE8, Is there a way to easily create my own search provider? I am NOT looking for a solution that requires me to directly change the registery.
NOTE: I currently have 9 Search Engines in the IE Search engine Drop down and I want to add one more. The Search engine I want to Add is not availble in IE's list of add-ons.
Thank you.

Qdos · Jan 18, 2012

It always used to be as described in the article below...

IE8 Search Providers Microsoft Answers

gcd · Jan 18, 2012

I copied and pasted this link: Internet Explorer Gallery. I was redirected to IE's new page which doesnt seem to allow "Create Your own Search Provider" as it used to. Please try this link and let me know if you are able to create a search provider.

Qdos · Jan 18, 2012

That's the page for iE9, however since I don't run iE8 I must assume it's been updated to also go there...

Click on the search applet and look for your preferred provider, if they're not featured in the main gallery, and then follow the onscreen prompts... that was the only way I could get my preferred search provider into iE9 - but be careful as you can easily install an accelerator instead if you don't pay a lot of attention to things...

gcd · Jan 18, 2012

The Search provider I want is not listed. I dont see any on screen prompts to add a search provider not listed. Do you see prompts to add a search provider not listed?

gcd · Jan 18, 2012

Goodby easy-to-use IE8 add-on for searching...

I give up. I just added the search provider to my favorites. Not as convenient but at least I can click a link to the search provider and enter the data on their site.

gcd · Jan 18, 2012

FYI..., I tried typing the URL that USED to include the dialog box to "Create You own Search Provider", but I got an error.
Internet Explorer Gallery

Qdos · Jan 18, 2012

What I said earlier was this. Did you do what I suggested?

Your posts makes it look like you didn't use the search applet...

Click on the search applet and look for your preferred provider, if they're not featured in the main gallery, and then follow the onscreen prompts... that was the only way I could get my preferred search provider into iE9 - but be careful as you can easily install an accelerator instead if you don't pay a lot of attention to things...

gcd · Jan 18, 2012

Yes. I did try that but I do not get the same results as you.

Thanks for asking. Regarding your instruction: "then follow the onscreen prompts…", I do NOT get any on screen prompts.

Qdos · Jan 18, 2012

What's the search provider you want?

gcd · Jan 18, 2012

Thanks for asking. I want to add Several search providers, but I will start with: World Time Engine - Current Local Time Right Now

Qdos · Jan 18, 2012

That's not a search engine, it's an information page with a fixed internal database.

As far as I am aware you cannot add such a site as a public search provider, because it isn't one.

I'd suggest you search for a world time desktop gadget

gcd · Jan 18, 2012

Thanks for responding, but, the purpose of "Create your own Search provider" is to do exactly what I am trying to do. That is, use this specific site's search engine with one point of entry and one key click within IE8 search window.
I have been using this tool for years with other sites that are just like worldtimeengine... IE: these sites aren't search engines per se, but have search engines integrated into the site. Trust me. this feature works as advertised. For an overview, please see the C-NET article posted on my 1st entry.

gcd · Jan 18, 2012

Can anyone tell me if there is a work around to get to the "Create Your own Search Provider" page? It used be accessed at this link: Internet Explorer Gallery

Qdos · Jan 18, 2012

The simple workaround is to use a world clock, or have the site on your favourites bar perhaps.

It doesn't meet the criteria of internet search engine and therefore won't appear in the options to add to iE8, and whilst I sympathise with the frustration you're experiencing I do not see a solution.

In technical terms because the site does not create a varying url string for varying search criteria it cannot even be added to other browsers, like Opera for instance, as a search provider.

You may be trying to pin down something that simply won't prove possible

Imperfect1 · Jan 19, 2012

Yes, actually there's a very good work-around that works for IE8 and IE9 as well. And using it, you can have ONE Search Provider or MULTIPLE Search Providers that you can access with one click! It's all done through the 'Home' link on the Command Bar.

First, if you don't already have your Command Bar enabled and/or don't have your 'Home' link enabled, you'll need to customize the IE Command Bar:
Open IE, click on View, Toolbars, and check the Command toolbar. Then, to customize the Command toolbar, put your cursor on the toolbar, right-click, and then at the bottom of the list, select Customize. Click on: "Add or Remove Commands.' From the list of commands, add the 'Home' icon.

Then, go to the website that you wish to add to your Home Page settings.
From that website, open IE, and on the Command Bar go to the Home link and click the little down-arrow 6 to the right of the Home link.
Select Add or Change Home Page.
A menu will open that says: Would you like to use the following as your home page?
If you wish to add this Search Provider's home page to a list of “Home pages” then click: Add the webpage to your Homepage tabs.
If you wish this webpage to be your only Search Provider, then click: Use this webpage as your only homepage.

Once done, any time you click on the Home icon, a drop down menu will open and you can click on the Search Provider's website link and go directly to that page. I have 6 links in my Home menu --- it's kind of like a mini QuickAccess toolbar. Very handy, and you can change any of them easily any time you wish.

Here's some additional information:
How to Add or Change the Home Page in Internet Explorer
How to Open Only the First or All Home Pages when Internet Explorer Starts
How to Have Multiple Home Pages for Pinned Sites in IE9

pcraine · Mar 6, 2012

gcd - I believe I understand what you're looking for.

Internet Explorer used to allow you to add a search engine by typing "TEST" into a web site's search field and then use the resulting URL as the basis for the new search provider. Is that correct?

Here is a link to a page that allows you to do this:

EnhanceIE.com - IE7 Search provider builder

I hope this helps.

Sylvester · Jun 17, 2012

@ pcraine

Yes! Brilliant! This is exactly what I was looking for. I am using IE 8, and I wanted to put in WebCrawler in the list of search engines in the search box over on the right. This did it perfectly.

Note: This works for IE 7 and 8. I have not tested it, but it should work for IE 9 and 10.

Thanks for the link.

NOW, How do I "Create Your Own Search Provider" in IE8?

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