Tip 219: Using Address Bar Searches

Today's tip is another general tip that makes computing life easier.
Did you know you can create your own address bar searches? These are searches you type into the Internet Explorer address bar using a keyword for the search engine and keywords for the search string. For example, I can search Outlook-tips.net for pages that mention the command line by typing:

tips keyword keyword

The secret? Creating a registry entry using the search url for your favorite site and inserting %s as the keyword placeholder: These are my searches:

//www.google.com/search?as_q=%s&num=100
//support2.microsoft.com/kb/%s
//search.microsoft.com/search/results.aspx?View=en-us&qu=%s

Any search that returns a URL containing the search keywords will work.

To create your own address bar searches:

Open the registry editor (Start menu | Run, type in regedit) and browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchUrl
Right click on SearchURL and choose New > Key
Choose the Keyword you want to use to identify the search and use it for the key name. For example, I use GW for Google Web, and Tips, Slip, KB, and MSKB for the other searches.
Enter the search string as the default value.

Notes:

The address bar is not case sensitive, so you can use proper or upper case in the registry and any case when you type it in the address bar.
MSN's browser does not support address bar searches, but Windows Explorer and the Address bar toolbar (for the Task bar) do.
You can also use TweakUI to set up Address bar searches.

For more information, see Creating your own Address bar searches.

Published January 12, 2005. Last updated on October 23, 2020.