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How to disable google instant search/autocomplete?

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 10 views
  • Last reply by drwin

drwin
drwin
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I am posting the answer which I just found myself. I want Google as my home page and default search engine. Like many Google users, I am sick of the stupid and distracting suggestions which appear as soon as I start to type in the Google search box. Changing settings does not seem to work for many people (including me). While struggling with this, and after posting my question, I found a simple answer.

1. Open a tab and put https://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0&gws_rd=ssl in the address bar. Hit "Enter." 2. When the page opens, drag and drop the tab of the page onto the "Home" icon (the little house). For details, see https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-set-the-home-page#w_set-or-change-your-home-page 3. Click "Yes" and you should now have a non-irritating Google home page.

I am posting the answer which I just found myself. I want Google as my home page and default search engine. Like many Google users, I am sick of the stupid and distracting suggestions which appear as soon as I start to type in the Google search box. Changing settings does not seem to work for many people (including me). While struggling with this, and after posting my question, I found a simple answer. 1. Open a tab and put https://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0&gws_rd=ssl in the address bar. Hit "Enter." 2. When the page opens, drag and drop the tab of the page onto the "Home" icon (the little house). For details, see https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-set-the-home-page#w_set-or-change-your-home-page 3. Click "Yes" and you should now have a non-irritating Google home page.

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Using https://www.google.com/preferences will work for as long as you keep the PREF cookie that Google sets. If you clear cookies often, then your home page trick is a great workaround.

drwin
drwin Question owner
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Tried it several times; it didn't work for me. I did not delete or remove any cookies. Other users have reported similar experiences. I believe this whole thing started when I "refreshed" Firefox recently. In my experience it is almost always a mistake to "refresh" any program since they all seem to make changes that the user does not suspect and does not want.