IE8 Safeguards the Default Search Provider

With Internet Explorer 8 Microsoft aims to put an end to third-party programs squabbling over the browser's default search preferences. Instead, IE8 ensures that the end user is firmly in control of the search settings, independently of any browser extensions installed. But most importantly, Microsoft ensured that in Internet Explorer 8, starting with the Beta 2 development milestone, the default search provider cannot be changed by a third-party program without the express consent of the end user.

“A lot of toolbars that plug into Internet Explorer modify the user’s search preference in their installer program. Some ask (by way of a checkbox in their install program) if they should change it,” revealed Frank Olivier, IE program manager. “Some don’t ask clearly, and change your setting without you noticing the change before it happens. We believe this is not a good thing – a program should never change a user’s setting without their unambiguous consent.”

The new feature introduced with IE8 Beta 2 is designed to do nothing more than keep the end user in control of the default search settings. In this regard, the browser will deliver a notification in the eventuality that a program will attempt to silently modify IE8's configuration. But at the same time, IE8 will render useless any ‘search setting protector’ programs designed to monitor the search default preferences and to swap any changes with the engine they are associated with.

“A lot of users have multiple toolbars installed – and this creates a situation where toolbar installers, toolbars and ‘search setting protectors’ are all fighting over your search setting – If you, or another program, ever changes the setting, you will see a variety of prompts from various ‘search setting protectors’, warning you about the change,” Olivier added.

IE8 brings this third-party program “arm wrestle” over the default search provider to the surface. The new feature added in Beta 2 will not result in any sort of functionality issues with installed toolbars, applications, or existing “search setting protector” programs. Microsoft informed that changes to the registry continue to be permitted, however, the end users will have to allow them.

“Starting in Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2, any toolbar that wants to change the search setting default (by setting a registry key) will trigger a ‘user consent’ dialog, where the requested change is explained clearly, and you are asked to approve/not approve the change. So, no program can silently change your search setting without you knowing about it,” Olivier stated.

But what the feature does allow end users to do is lock out persistent “search setting protector” programs. Via the Search provider Default Dialog box, IE8 will allow the configuration to be changed, but also for any future suggestions from a third-party program to be ignored completely.

“There is also a new API for setting the search default. Any application can call this API, and request that the Internet Explorer Search Default be changed. A dialog box is shown (and the application requesting the change is clearly identified) and the user can allow/not allow the change,” Olivier stated.


Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) Release Candidate 1 (RC1) is available for download here.