Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Changing the Default Search Engine?

0 helpful
4 replies

by allen.zorn

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I'm running Windows 2000 and want to change my Search Engine back to reflect MSN rather than Google. I had read on another web site to:
1 - Start the registry editor (regedit.exe)
2 - Move to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
3 - Double click on Search Page
4 - Change to the search page you want, e.g. http://www.altavista.digital.com and click OK
5 - Close the registry editor

The above resolution did not work. I've even tried the resolution on this website to no avail neither resolved the situation. Does anyone have any other suggestions? What am I missing? Is there some place else in the registry that needs to be modified?

4 replies

by lmon

On ie go to tools internet options then in the general tab you will see home page type the address you want there then hit apply and ok. Close IE and reopen you should see your home page.

if that does not work you have probably been highjacked. You will need to run spybot S&D or adaware by lavasoft. Make sure you get all the updates then run remove what it finds.

Or if it is company computer the admin has either set everyone home page to google or you dont have enough rights to do it. If that is the case then you will have to ask the admin. to do it for you.

By the way to change your home page you don't need to edit the registry unless you have been highjacked!

by cg it

well usually I click the seach button on the top tool bar to have it show as a left pane from the main IE pane. In that left Search Companion pane, there should be a "Change Preferences" link you click. click that and there will be an option to "Change Internet Search Behavior link. Click that and a list will be shown. Choose MSN. Click ok.

by cg it

editing the registry is not recommend as a course of action. It's a last resort effort. Yes, many articles show editing the registry as a work around for problems but its not recommended and if you do go into it, it should be done in read only mode until your very very sure your where you want to be and know what you want to change. Back up the registry before you make any changes. to Quote Microsoft. "Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause seriou, system-wide problems that could require reinstallation of Windows.

by willcomp

Do you have the Google toolbar installed? If so, the simple solution is to disable it and then install the MSN toolbar available at msn.com.

Click view in IE and then toolbars to see a list of available toolbars. Uncheck ones you don't want to run.

An alternative is to use the advanced mode of Spybot and check for BHOs. Spybot will allow you to remove toolbars easily.

This discussion is closed to new replies.