can’t change ie8 default search provider

Apr 15, 2010 | Internet Explorer

IE8 in some situation disallows changing the default search provider. This can happen on workgroups and domains even if the “restrict changing search provider” gpo is not configured.

  • Make sure IE 8 is closed then navigate to registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
  • Add a new “Expandable String value” inside the above mentioned key with a value name of “AppData” and a value data of “%USERPROFILE%\Application Data”.
  • Reopen IE 8 and see if you still get the error message.
  1. e sure IE 8 is closed then navigate to registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
  2. Add a new “Expandable String value” inside the above mentioned key with a value name of “AppData” and a value data of “%USERPROFILE%\Application Data”.
  3. Reopen IE 8 and see if you still get the error message.