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I want to force my Google Chrome web browser (version 21.0.1180.89, 64-bit) to use non-localized search (thus Google in English) through address bar, using the default Google search engine.

To achieve that, I have to change value of the property last_known_google_url to http://www.google.com/search?hl=en& in Local State file (for instance on Linux, the full path to the file is ~/.config/google-chrome/Local State).

In that file, there should be the property:

"browser": {
    "last_known_google_url":

but it is not.

Even if I add the property there, it has no impact on search—Google Chrome does not use the property and still searches in localized version.

Another option is to put the property to Preferences file (for instance on Linux, the full path to the file is ~/.config/google-chrome/Default/Preferences) - which works perfectly when I start Google Chrome and do some search - but just after that, the property (actually the whole Preferences file) is overriden, so "the most important" trailing part ?hl=en& of the property value is removed—and without it, the non-localized search does not work anymore.

Why does Google Chrome ignore last_known_google_url property in Local State file?

Ben N
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Peter Sivák
  • 427

4 Answers4

1

Google Search selects the localized version based on a few factors such as your geographical location (IP address) as well as your Google search preferences. Google Chrome settings actually does not impact which localized version of Google Search.

You can change it by going to http://www.google.com (you should be redirected to the localized version), and clicking on Google.com at the bottom right corner of the webpage. You should see the non-localized version in future searches.

Another alternative is to use the URL http://www.google.com/ncr (ncr = no country redirect), which will redirect you to google.com.

Finally, selecting the display language as well as search result to English will also get Google to return international results.

Google Search settings for Language

Ben N
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hanxue
  • 3,134
0

You can simply add google.com as your default search engine by using the chrome settings page (no tweaking needed). This will enable you to use non-localized search through address bar.

Steps to add new search engine:

  • Type chrome://chrome/settings/searchEngines in omnibox (i.e. the search bar)
  • Scroll to the bottom of the dialog and fill out the fields to set up the search engine.
    • Enter a label for the search engine.
    • Keyword : Enter the text shortcut you want to use for the search engine.
    • URL : Enter the web address for the search engine. http://google.com/search?q=%s

Detailed Instructions here.

Ankit
  • 4,866
0

After you set the 'last_known_google_url' as administrator, save the file and make it Read Only by right-clicking it and choosing Properties. When the file is Read Only, Chrome cannot "override" or ignore your settings.

By the way, in the new Chrome versions it's no longer Local State file, it's Preferences file located in: %localappdata% > Google\Chrome\User Data\Default

intelligent_beyond_this_life
  • 1
0

For an alternative workaround to your issue please follow this method:

  1. Download & Install 'editthiscookie' from: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/editthiscookie/fngmhnnpilhplaeedifhccceomclgfbg?hl=en

  2. Link to https://www.google.com/ncr

  3. Commit search via address bar

  4. Click on 'Editthiscookie' (cookie icon)

  5. Expand .google.com | PREF

  6. Click on the 'lock icon'(left side) to lock this cookie.

-From now on the chrome's default search engine will be google.com. Even if you delete your browser's cookies the 'default search engine' cookie will not be deleted.

*Please note that if you delete Chrome's cookies from a 3rd party software the protected cookie will be deleted as well.

intelligent_beyond_this_life
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intelligent_beyond_this_life
  • 1