Google Search is always the default search - even when I change it.
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A Former User last edited by
It's normal. It was introduced after 12.14 to prevent browser hijacking by malware.
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blackbird71 last edited byAssuming you're running 12.16, as @Pesala has noted, a change to Opera's search engine behavior was introduced at version 12.15 (and maintained in 12.16) that results in exactly what you're seeing. It's part of the 12.16 design, so there's nothing you can easily set in the version to formally "fix" it.
Your alternatives are essentially limited to:
1. A long thread (http://my.opera.com/community/forums/findpost.pl?id=14081002) back in mid-2013 contained one lengthy suggestion (see: http://my.opera.com/community/forums/findpost.pl?id=14451672) that pertained to making ixquick the default browser in Opera 12.16 while removing Google at the same time. However, users had no success with making StartPage behave in Opera like ixquick (puzzling, because both engines are owned by the same company). The ixquick suggestion was later modified by comment from its poster that Google need not also be removed (see: http://my.opera.com/community/forums/findpost.pl?id=14458092).2. In late summer of last year (2013), @rilef posted a suggestion for users to be able to at least have a search-box dedicated to their chosen "default" search engine in the place of Opera's native search box. Unfortunately, all of @rilef's posts have since been removed from the forum archives, so a current link is not possible. However, for my own future reference, I kept a record of the gist of his suggestion as amplified by my own details where needed:
a) Install the custom search engine of your choice in Opera's search engine list.
b) Follow: SHIFT+F12 > Buttons > Search
c) Locate the custom engine you want and drag its search button to the address bar next to Opera 12.16's normal "Search with (Google)" box
d) Right-click the "Search with (Google)" box > Customize > Remove from toolbar
e) Follow: SHIFT+F12 > Buttons > Search
f) Locate the "Search with (Google)" button-box and drag it to a location on some other toolbar, different from where it originally was
-- You can then search using the custom search box (which will always be that same custom engine) in the address bar search-box location you've become accustomed to, and that button will not change when Opera is restarted. Use the now-relocated original Opera searchbox at its new location for those times you want to use a different engine. It's something of a cosmetic change (since it doesn't actually change Opera's default, merely applies a dedicated box) and only applies to searches made from the search box - but it helps a lot for those who habitually go to the same Opera bar location to do their ordinary searches.3. Create your own search menu, as suggested by @Pesala in early 2013 (see: http://my.opera.com/community/forums/findpost.pl?id=14255782 ).
4. Revert to Opera 12.14 as your browser. This version is only slightly less secure patch-wise than 12.16, but does not have the search-engine patch that causes all the problems. (Some users also believe 12.14 to be somewhat more stable than 12.16.)
5. Start looking around and migrate to a new browser. Eventually the New Opera may allow customization of its default, but that lies in the future, if at all.
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Deleted User last edited by
I have just implemented blackbird71's option 2 in 12.16, putting a Startpage search box on the address bar. I have deleted the default Google search box as Google (and other engine) searches are possible from the search panel, in address bar with appropriate suffix, or from the right click menu when viewing pages. Seems to be the neatest method.
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Deleted User last edited by
OK - so its not a glitch in Opera. Just some misguided designer that things the world revolves around Google. Guess it does in many ways.
Just put in a letter for the keyword. So you want to search for a blue Ferrari in Startpage (great search engine if you value any privacy). You create a search from the search bar of Startpage by right clicking, Create Search, and select, for example, s as a keyword. So to search for your car you type:
s blue Ferrari
and it will search from Startpage. Just one letter and a space. No big deal. Start page is very configurable and that is another reason to use it. Having a lot of different searches accessible from the Address Bar saves enormous amounts of time and is a splendid feature. The person that thought of this should be knighted. Digitally of course. Seeing a software designer come into work in a suit of armor would be unsettling. -
A Former User last edited by
Now if Opera devs could just manage to make the speed dial search box do what I want that would be great too currently as it is you can not make startpage the default search engine on the speed dial and have it stay that way
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A Former User last edited by
This is insane, why the hell google is always default even if my search.ini is set to duckduckgo for both speed dial and address bar ?!
Strangely enough I have my Home PC running the same Opera 12.17 but it always works… It’s only on my new office PC that the default search keeps reverting to google despite the search.ini !
The change made in 12.15 makes the Opera settings GUI totally broken… Why didn’t they totally hide this feature if it’s gone ?
Is it true that there are no solutions to default to something else than google anymore ?
I must check my home PC to see how it works there. -
A Former User last edited by
BTW here is the 12.15 changelog, it says « Fixed an issue where the search bar's default engine could be overridden by third-party apps. » Since when Opera settings are a third-party ? It’s blocking itself… there must be a way, no ?
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srihema123 last edited by
in my opera browser i have the problem that my default and the home page should be google.But it not working some other search engines are loading how to i resolve that....
[Removed spammy link.] -
leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by
BTW here is the 12.15 changelog, it says « Fixed an issue where the search bar's default engine could be overridden by third-party apps. » Since when Opera settings are a third-party ? It’s blocking itself… there must be a way, no ?
Changing the default search engine is blocked to avoid third-parties from hijacking it and I don't think it will even change for Opera Presto someday. -
blackbird71 last edited by
BTW here is the 12.15 changelog, it says « Fixed an issue where the search bar's default engine could be overridden by third-party apps. » Since when Opera settings are a third-party ? It’s blocking itself… there must be a way, no ?
It seems the way that Opera "fixed an issue where the search bar's default engine could be overridden by third-party apps" involves force-resetting the default to only a search engine on the default search list options in the as-shipped Opera, each time Opera is restarted. If you can custom-enter and persistently set-as-default some other search engine not on that as-shipped list, so could a hijacker set it to a site of his choosing. The hijacker's goal is either: to redirect your search queries to his own site for financial gain (click-counts), to try to expose you to a malware-laden site, or to block you from legitimate browser searches for remedies in cases where they've infected your system.
