Where does Search.MSN come from?

[jsteph]

Hi,
When I enter a url that would normally give me a 40-not found page, all of a sudden MS is getting into the picture giving me unwanted help. Is this a browser setting or an ISP thing? Thanks,
--Jsteph

 

[Banzai5150]

It is indeed a browser setting, and here's a link that should explain it for you.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q221754

G'luck,
Banzai

 

[Banzai5150]

And because for the life of me, I couldn't remember the proper Key to search for. Here is the way to change the default from MSN Search to whichever you would prefer.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;198279

 

[jsteph]

Banzai,
Thanks, that did it. The strange thing is that as soon as I killed that registry entry, I connected right to the correct page--and I'm positive it was the exact same url that directed me to search.msn, since it was in the mru list and I had been selecting it, so no chance of a typo. Sounds like hijacking...
--jsteph

 

[manarth]

It's not really hijacking - it's a genuine MS IE option... go to tools --> internet options --> advanced tab... scroll down until you see "Search from the address bar" and select the appropriate option. You don't need a registry hack to disable it! (although to be fair, it has the same effect).

<marc> i wonder what will happen if i press this...[ul][li]please give feedback on what works / what doesn't[/li][li]need some help? how to get a better answer: faq581-3339[/li][/ul]

 

[jsteph]

Manarth,
Thanks. But I didn't see the option that said &quot;Go to msn.search.com, display the silly butterfly and maybe some advertising, and then tell me that the site isn't found&quot;

But seriously...some of the options there seemed vague and ambiguous, so I just turned it off--since if I want to search, I'll go to google, and if I type to the address bar and it's a typo or it doesn't exist, a 404 page is all I need.
But that option is easier than the registry, thanks again,
--Jsteph