How to change default AOL search?

Does anyone here know how to change default AOL Search (or if it is even possible?)​

Someone asked me this question in another forum; however I don't actually use AOL so I have no clue.

I'm thinking that it may not even be possible; because I did a Google search using various combinations of search terms like "Change AOL Search" and "Change AOL Default Search Engine" and other combinations of words; but came up with no useful search results.

Knowing AOL they probably either "fixed it" to either be very difficult or impossible to accomplish simple task! I actually tried calling AOL directly; but after I was on hold for about 45 minutes (using my speakerphone, of course) the call was just abruptly disconnected!

In any case I thought I'd ask you fine folks. If there is an answer to this dilemma, I figured I'd likely find it here!

Good Luck!

 

Bump - Anybody?

Does anyone here at MG know how to change default AOL Search to another search engine like Google. AltaVista or Yahoo (or if it is even possible)?

Hmm... Almost 24 hours has elapsed and as yet; not a single response! Could it be I've stumped the Masters? <g> Just kiddin' you guys/gals! Someone asked me this in another forum and I had such a hard time uncovering a "fix" by Googling various search terms, I'm stumped as well.

<thanking the 'Good Geek Lord' for not having to rely on AOL dial-up - lol>​

Good Luck!

 

Hey Computable ...stumped yourself, heh? Default AOL search in what ....your browser? A webpage ....it's late and I'm getting brain dead...

LOL Tim!

I know the feeling; my mind is going numb trying to uncover the answer here! <g>

No, no it’s not my browser with the search problem! I don't even use AOL, haven't for years (since AOL 5.0, I think) - life is too short to use dial-up!

Ok, anyway here's what happened... Someone from another forum that I attend emailed me last night; asking how to change the 'default search' in their AOL browser. In other words; whenever they type in a word into their AOL address bar it goes directly to the dreadful ad-filled "AOL Search" engine.

You know like when you first install Internet Explorer and when you type a search term it goes to MSN search. If you do not like MSN search; you can easily change it to something else like Google, AltaVista or Yahoo.

What I'm asking is what is the method, steps involved, etc. of doing the same to change the crappy AOL default search to Google, Google, AltaVista or Yahoo. I had no luck finding out the answer to this question myself. If it's not actually possible to do this (change the default search in AOL) that's ok too, but I figured if anybody on the web would know this for sure - somebody in here would.

That's why I was surprised that I asked this question about 24 hours ago and did not receive a single response. I must admit; when I got this email I thought it would be easy to uncover a quick fix; but as yet I've had no luck at all. I'm usually pretty good at finding answers quickly; but this seemingly 'easy' question has me stumped!

Good Luck!

 

i contacted aol a while back with the same question. i was told by them that there is no way to change the homepage default. but maybe some of you guys can find a way around it....

 

>> Which version of AOL? If latest version the AOL search engine is powered by Google anyway. Will get back to this when les tied up in work... sorry! but I have not come across an reg hacks to change th edefault search in AOL as yet. <<

Hi Halo and thanks for your reply...

I just checked the email from my friend which said it was the "latest version" of AOL whatever that is. I don't have AOL but I'm guessing it's 9.0. The AOL search is powered by Google but I think my friend wants the regular Google page as the default search. Knowing AOL, they likely have made it hard to change as everything else about AOL is difficult to alter or configure outside of its specified rules.

If there is some 'hack' available that would be cool; however; like I said in an earlier post, it’s ok if this changing the default search page thing is not actually possible; I’d just like to know either way. If it isn’t possible I’ll just tell him to keep the regular Google search that he likes in his ‘favorites’ folder.

BTW Halo, I apologize for interrupting a Vista thread recently where you were helping folks out with the beta program. I can’t find the particular thread at this moment but I think my comments were about how I was amazed at how many people were downloading it and the fact that Microsoft was actually charging for the DVD (or something like that).

Although at the time; I meant it as kind of 'tongue-in-cheek' kidding; I reread my post afterwards and my comments were inappropriate and not related to the original posters question. Unfortunately, I was unable to delete the post because the time limit for editing and deleting that post has elapsed. I always try to help people in here and I don’t know what I was thinking posting a comment like that. In any case for what it’s worth I’m sorry that I interrupted that thread like that.

Good Luck!

 

>> OK, Computable ....only thing I've been able to find (other than the teaming with Google stuff) to tell the person is to type into the search engine "Firefox" or "Opera" <<

LOL Tim! (Comp's Curly Joe voice imitation: "Ohhhh... A wise guy, eh?")

I think that explains why I've had so much trouble here searching for an answer for my friend. I guess AOL recently partnered up with Google so every time I tried the search terms like "Change AOL Search" and "Change AOL Default Search Engine" and other combinations of words; I came up with no useful search results other than the "Big News." I'll try another more specific search a little later on.

At first I figured there's got to be an easy hack out there to accomplish this; but if there isn't like I said in the earlier post I’ll just tell him to keep the regular Google search page that he likes in his ‘favorites’ folder. I'm sure he can withstand the agony of having to click on the favorites rather then having the address bar set to Google... <g>

Good Luck!

 

COMPUABLE, you might try searching the program and windows folders for related .ini, .dat, .cfg, .txt files to see if they have any settings in plain-text. With proper backup of the file and a sys restore point, I'm sure there isn't much harm you could do by editing them, if they exist.

 

> COMPUABLE, you might try searching the program and windows folders for related .ini, .dat, .cfg, .txt files to see if they have any settings in plain-text. With proper backup of the file and a sys restore point, I'm sure there isn't much harm you could do by editing them, if they exist. Mada_Milty <

Thanks for the tip Mada_Milty

I can't search those files because I don't actually have AOL installed. But I'll definitely copy your reply to e-mail and send that tip to my friend from the other forum who asked me this question regarding changing AOL search. And I also appreciate your posting that there likely wouldn't be any harm in editing the files, if they exist. Good info to know and to pass on to my friend as well.

Thanks again!

Good Luck!

 

>> Wild shot would be to do a registry search for AOL and see if any keys = default search ( kinda guess that maybe a long search ), if found backup the key/registry and change. Halo <<

Thanks for the tips Halo. I'll forward them to my friend from the other forum.

>> @ Compuable... cannot remember the particular thread off hand as they wizz by here, but did I ask a question or reply to your post? anyways old news, on with the new and next exciting question to baffle us all. Halo <<

I can't remember/find the particular thread either; I'm pretty sure it had something to do with Vista Beta. Anyway what happened was that was I 'kidding around' a bit when I originally posted my reply; but then after re-reading it; I realized that the person who originally posting was looking for help/tips, etc. and my post was inappropriate.

Unfortunately, when I tried to remove it the "time limit" for editing/deleting had expired. You correctly pointed out in your reply that I haven’t even tried the beta Vista! I didn't reply to you immediately and then lost track of that particular thread afterwards. In any case; like you I’m happy to "move on with the new and next exciting question to baffle us all" as well… <g>

Thanks again for your response on the AOL search question Halo!

Good Luck!