Whenever I go to type something in the Google or Yahoo “search for this” text box, every single keyword I’ve ever given it with the same beginning letter pops up. Another example: when I began to type “Search engine query” in the subject line above, three other subject titles I’ve presumably given BBS posts over the past year popped up, as well. I’ve tried deleting the cookies in my Temporary Internet Files folder, restricting the computer to accept absolutely no cookies, etc., but to no avail. How do I go about wiping all of that stuff out? By the way, I’m using Windows ME.
My IE implementation at work is hobbled by security settings, but I’m pretty sure the setting you want to find is called “Autocomplete.” You want to turn that sumbitch OFF.
I’m having trouble visualizing what you’re describing, but two possibilities spring to mind.
Are you perhaps typing your search strings into the Internet Explorer Windows box that says “Address” up at the top, in the menu bar here, and not into Google or Yahoo’s box at all? 'Cause that behavior you describe is exactly what Windows does when it’s trying to Search from the Address Bar, and when “In Line Auto Complete” is set. It’s giving you the History of everything you’ve ever looked up using that Address Bar.
Click on Tools up at the top, next to Favorites and Help, and click on “Internet Tools”. Look at the last option, “Advanced”. Scroll down and you’ll see, first, “Use inline auto complete”, and then further down, “Search from the Address Bar - When Searching”, and you’ll have options to click or unclick.
Or, alternatively, are you using AOL’s Home Screen with its truly sucky Keyword Search function? If so, quit doing that, and use Start to bring up your Favorites on the left-hand side there, and open some windows and use Google’s regular Search page, in an Internet Explorer window.
Sorry, it’s “Internet Options” under “Tools”, not “Internet Tools”.
KneadToKnow is right. It’s under Tools|Internet Options|Content|Autocomplete. Uncheck the Forms box.