Opera web browser is by far one of the most popular and popular browsers among users, surpassing many similar programs. Not surprisingly, this browser was the very first of all to have a built-in VPN client, it has a very high speed of access to Internet resources and downloading content of any type while saving information on the computer’s hard drive.
However, many users are not happy that the browser offers its own search tools by default. That is why people are trying to change this search engine by installing another one instead. But not everyone knows how to change the search engine in Opera. Let's try to deal with this issue.
Foreword
But first, let's dwell on whether it is worth changing the default search engine at all? On the one hand, immediately after installing the browser in the form of a program on the computer at the first start, it is easy to notice that the bookmarks bar is activated by default, on which, among other things, there is a Rambler resource tile, by clicking on which you can immediately go to the site and use its search system.
On the other hand, changing the search service from Yandex to something else is advisable mainly if the services of this Russian company in the country from which the call is made are blocked. But here you can get around such restrictions by activating the built-in VPN client.
It’s a completely different matter if the user is not happy with how Yandex search works. But the main problem is that even when displaying the results, Yandex is too intrusive and constantly suggests installing a browser of its own design.
How to change the search engine in Opera: possible options
So, what can be offered to the average user as the main and alternative solutions? In general, it is recommended to use four methods, three of which are very simple, and the fourth will require a little perseverance. The main solutions for replacing the search engine, which will be discussed later, are the following:
- using the settings of the browser itself (limited choice of search engines);
- changing the start page to a search engine resource (any);
- independent creation of a search engine;
- Adding a search service through a special settings file.
Note: if none of the proposed methods suits you or you do not need a search engine at all, in the end we will consider the simplest method to disable search services forever.
Change the search service through the browser settings
So, how to change the search engine in "Opera". As the simplest solution, we’ll use the general settings of the browser itself, calling the desired section from the menu of the button at the top, marked with a browser icon. Here, in order not to worry for a long time in determining the location of the desired parameter, simply specify the word “search” in the special search field in the upper right. On the main page immediately after the initial installation of the browser, the Yandex search engine field is displayed, but, as it turns out, Google is set by default (this search engine even comes first in the list).
However, in the drop-down list to the right, you can choose something suitable. Unfortunately, the choice is very limited. We will talk about how to change the search engine in Opera by setting any other (not just from the list) as the main one, but for now we’ll offer another simple method.
Actually, there is nothing easier than creating a new tab directly on the express panel by specifying the URL of the search engine for it, or editing the start page, simultaneously disabling the appearance of the express panel when the browser starts.
Automated tools of some search engines and manual addition of other services
If the search engine has been changed, but you need the Yandex service, this will definitely not be a problem. Just go to the start page of Yandex and enter some search query.
When the results appear, a window will immediately be displayed on the page with a proposal to install the service as the default search, however, with an additional installation of Yandex-browser or with a change to the start page. However, you can refuse to install the browser at any time or simply remove it from the system. If it is installed independently, then you need to use the same iObit Uninstaller uninstaller for maximum cleaning.
But how in “Opera” to change the search engine so that it would not be necessary to go to all kinds of tabs and links, using the search engine of the system directly?
There is a good tool in the browser for this. First go to the service page on the Internet, then right-click directly on the search field. Select the option to create a search engine. In the form that appears, enter the desired name and keyword, then simply click the "Create" button.
How to add a search engine to Opera or replace it in a Local State file?
Above were given only the simplest methods of action with basic settings. It is far from a fact that at one “fine” moment they will not “fly off”. But how in “Opera” to change the search engine in the most proven way?
To do this, go to the folder where the browser is installed (usually this is a user directory in which you need to go to the AppData, Roaming and other directories, as shown in the image above) and find the Local State file.
Now open it using Notepad or a similar editor, find the parameters “country” and “country_from_server” there and change their values (in the example above - “UA”), for example, to “US” and save the changes (Ctrl + S) . Now, when you start in Opera, the Google search engine will appear automatically. In principle, you can experiment with the location by entering different designations adopted in the international classification of countries and see how this will affect the change in the search engine.
How to remove the search bar completely in the browser?
How to change the search engine in "Opera", figured out. Now it remains to look at the possibility of completely turning off any search engine if you do not need it for some reason.
To do this, use the browser settings, where you need to find the item to hide the search field and activate it by moving the slider to the right.