Lot of IE8 users are now frequently getting the Search Provider Default Error.It happens when IE is opened first time.Opening an additional tab or new window wont show the error.This issue cannot be resolved by resetting IE8 or removing the IE8 toolbar or by resetting the default search provider.
To fix the issue
- Close IE8 window.While in the Registry Editor find and highlight the registry key:HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders
- Right click on the highlighted key (which is named “User Shell Folders”
- Select “New” on the next menu
- Select “Expandable String Value”. This will add a “new value” the right side of the registry.
- Right click on the “name” for this new value in the right side of the registry
- Rename the new value “AppData”
- Right click on the value name “AppData” you just created
- Modify the value by entering “%USERPROFILE%Application Data” in the “value data” field. Enter just as shown here, do not change any characters (leave out the ” ” ). You might want to cut and paste the character string to avoid typos.
- Click Ok and you should have a new line on the right side of the registry with a name of “AppData”, type “RG_EXPAND_SZ” and a Data entry of “%USERPROFILE%Application Data”.
- Close the Registry
- Close and reopen IE8 to confirm the fix
Another fix for the issue in Vista and XP Professional computers
Run GPEDIT.MSC
Computer Configuration> Administrative Templates> Windows Components>
Internet Explorer , Restrict changing the default search provider turn it to Disable apply OK. should work on XP too
If none of this works, then you might need to uninstall IE8 or wait for an update from Microsoft to fix this issue. For the time being, use another browser like Mozilla Firefox.
One Response
Hi! Thank you so much for the above fix! I copied the directions and followed them to a “T”. I have followed other directions that “looked” similar to these, but they did not do the trick. There are some small differences between these and other directions. I think it makes ALL the difference. I was scared to do something like this on my own, but took my time and did all of the above steps slowly. I did reboot before seeing if the “fix” worked. Thanks again!