How to make the Google search bar longer? (IE 7 beta 2)

**JohnGray** · 2006-05-13 19:38

If you select the Google search bar, it only gets a small amount of space at the end of the address bar line.

I can't find a way to make it wider, and thus shorten the address box.

Can anyone?

John

PS Of course we have the usuaol new software: "where on earth have they hidden <this feature> this time round?" to contend with, yet again...

**viking33** · 2006-05-13 19:50

John,
Does this work for you?
-------------------------------------

If the Google Toolbar doesn't move, it's likely that your toolbars are locked. IE 6.0 locks toolbars to prevent accidental changes to your browser interface. You can unlock them by right-clicking on an open area of a toolbar and de-selecting the "Lock the Toolbars" option. You should be able to move and resize the Google Toolbar after changing this setting.

Once you've arranged your toolbars, you may want to lock them in this position. To do so, right-click on an open area of a toolbar and select "Lock the Toolbars."

-----------------------------------

**JohnGray** · 2006-05-14 06:38

Bob

No, sadly I have already tried that one and have left the Toolbars unlocked. Moving my mouse cursor slowly over the intersection gives no change to the cursor shape, and thus nothing to 'move'...

John

**DocWatson** · 2006-05-15 23:40

John,

Is this similar to what you are trying to accomplish ??

**JohnGray** · 2006-05-16 17:38

It's similar, but rather more than I was trying to do! I was just trying to make the Google section a bit wider.

OK, how did you do it?!

John

**viking33** · 2006-05-16 19:27

John,
I have my google toolbar on a separate line form the address bar, as shown below. You should be able to hover the mouse just between the google dropdown check mark and the "G" logo. A double ended arrow should appear which will allow you to drag the size of the info bar, smaller or larger.

**DocWatson** · 2006-05-16 20:23

Bob is correct, and my setup is normally the same as his. I made that change to mine exagerated so you could see the 2 toolbars on one line, as I thought that was what you were trying to accomplish.

If you hover the cursor over the bottom line of the Google toolbar you will get the double-headed arrow and can then click and drag the toolbar up, down or sideways. And as Bob said, you should be able to hover the mouse just between the google dropdown check mark and the "G" logo. A double headed arrow should appear which will allow you to drag the size of the info bar, smaller or larger.

**skitterbug** · 2006-05-16 21:57

IE 7Beta 2
Hi Doc,

Not to take away from John's question - but I've been following along in this thread because I was hoping there would be a solution. I think maybe what I was understanding the question to be is different than what I have been trying to solve on my own system.

You are explaining how to move the separate, "Google Search Bar" that can be downloaded and installed - right? I never loaded it because I didn't want another bar on top of my viewing area. But included within the IE browser is a little search box that can have Google assigned as the preferred look up. I was hoping there would be a way to expand this little search box or is it stuck being this tiny little size?

**DocWatson** · 2006-05-16 22:51

Hiya Skitter.

I think you have provided the key to this little mixture of metaphores. You and John appear to be referring to a different animal than Bob and I are talking about. What I am referring to is indeed the Google Toolbar, while what you and John are trying to reconfigure is the Google Search bar I suppose this is a shortened version of the Toolbar (pardon the pun). I don't think you can change the size of that window. <img src=/S/sad.gif border=0 alt=sad width=15 height=15>

**skitterbug** · 2006-05-16 22:58

Hi Doc!

While I am not sure which one John is dealing with, you have answered my question - even though it was a "no, can't be done" answer! <img src=/S/sigh.gif border=0 alt=sigh width=15 height=15>

<img src=/S/thankyou.gif border=0 alt=thankyou width=40 height=15> anyway! <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15> I appreciate the reply!

**viking33** · 2006-05-16 23:33

Doc explains things very well.
______________________________
This is from Infopackets Windows Newsletter Information site:

To change the size and location of the address bar:

Load Internet Explorer.

Ensure that "Lock Toolbars" does not have a checkmark; click View -> Toolbars -> Lock Toolbars.

Left click and hold the word "Address" on the Address Bar. Move the mouse to another Toolbar location and release the mouse.

In order to "grow" or "shrink" the address bar, you must combine it with another Toolbar and then reposition it. By default, the address bar is not resizable if it is by itself.
-------------------------------------------------

I haven't tried this yet since I didn't want to mess with my present settings.

**skitterbug** · 2006-05-16 23:38

Hi Bob,

I tried moving the bars around after they were unlocked when I first was hunting for a solution. I was unable to get that little box to be any other size except "little". Maybe MS will eventually add the capability of resizing it in the final version. <img src=/S/crossfingers.gif border=0 alt=crossfingers width=17 height=16>

<img src=/S/thankyou.gif border=0 alt=thankyou width=40 height=15>

**JohnGray** · 2006-05-17 15:32

Yes, you have correctly described the area I was talking about.

BUT I still don't have anything saying Address!

John

**viking33** · 2006-05-17 16:27

John,

This must be one of the differences that exist in IE7,Beta2.
If you notice, Skitterbug's screenshot is almost identical to yours, while Doc and I have apparently been talking about IE 6.

" Like General Electric, Progress is our most important product" <img src=/S/question.gif border=0 alt=question width=15 height=15>

**JohnGray** · 2006-05-17 17:24

The subject line has got truncated! The first two posts said IE 7 beta 2...

John

Thread: How to make the Google search bar longer? (IE 7 beta 2)

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