Changing the default search engine for Firefox keyword searches ...

Whilst helping a friend / colleague / buddy / fellow caramel latte consumer, I stumbled upon a need to change the search engine that Firefox uses for keyword searches ( those entered via the Address Bar rather than the Search box ).

Mike wanted to enter a search string ( apparently known as a keyword search ) into the Address Bar and have it use http://www.google.co.uk rather than http://www.google.com.

The solution ?

Change the Firefox internal configuration using the URL about:config ( heeding the warnings re dragons, warranties etc. ) and set the value of: -

keyword.URL

from: -

http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=

to: -

http://www.google.co.uk/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=

If it's of interest, the about:config URL/command actually updates an underlying Firefox preference files ( prefs.js ) which, on my Mac, is stored here: -

/Users/davehay/Library/Application\ Support/Firefox/Profiles/4htddm23.default/prefs.js