Fix the location bar in Firefox 3

[calzephyr]

I recently downloaded Firefox 3, as it is required by something new we're working on. Now, I try to keep my laptop as work friendly as possible, so I was horrified to see that when typing a URL into the location bar, anything that started with the first few letters would display! Gack!

Deleting my history didn't seem to solve the problem, and I was even more puzzled that it was bringing up some sites I had visited a long time ago. Then I discovered that this "feature" pulls links from your bookmarks as well. Le sigh! I didn't want people to know I had once visited www.hotsexwithtoasters.com! That was years ago! And I was curious! ;-)

Anyway, here's how to fix it:

In the location bar, type: about:config
Agree to any warnings.
Scroll down to browser.urlbar.maxRichResults and right click on it.
Select Modify.
Change the value from 12 to 0.
Problem solved!

I saw this on a Mozilla forum but I can't find it again...so props to the OP.

Comments

[theredrage.livejournal.com]

I thought Firefox wiped your history once you closed it down. V2 does anyway. Haven't upgraded to 3 yet as I've got 2 working exactly how I want it to, and you know what updates are like!

So if someone changed that value back to 12 your results wouldn't still be there? I'd check that if I was you ;)

hotsexwithtoasters.com doesn't exist any more. I was getting all excited about that too :'(

[calzephyr77.livejournal.com]

V3 is quite fast compared to V2, but I know what you mean - I still shudder about Netscape 4.

Heh! I should hope no one sneaks into my house, switches the value, racks up a lot of porn viewing and then gleefully runs off into the night :-D

LOL, I don't think it ever existed...I always used to joke with an online friend about such a site. Hmm, maybe I have just given someone an idea O_o

[cyanus-fire.livejournal.com]

I thought you just went to tools - clear private history, or go options in the tool bar and configure there
"remember what I enter forms the search bar" Click to take that off

"always clear my private data when firefox closes" click yes.

I know what you mean about having your history viewed, it also seems to tally up how many times you entered one search. I dont want my family to know just HOW many times Ive googled my favourite crushes!

[calzephyr77.livejournal.com]

Heheh! For me, Webkinz came up while someone was using my laptop :-D

I do have the "clear private data" thing enabled, but that's not enough for Firefox 3. Such an odd feature...I can see why the implemented it, but they should have made it easier to disable :-)

[cyanus-fire.livejournal.com]

Im not sure if Ive got firefox 3 or not. Ill have to check.