Populate list of search providers doesn't work...??

Using XP Pro SP3 and IE8; fully updated

I used the KB Article ID: 918238 to make the custom .adm file for XP. I
followed the instructions to the letter to create/ enable the "Populate list
of search providers" setting for both Computer and User GPO (Local Computer
Policy) configurations. I also verified all new policies in both HKLM and
HKCU - /Software/Policies/Microsoft/Internet Explorer/SearchShopes.

I then enabled the "Restrict search providers to a specific list of search
providers" setting in both the Computer and User GPO Configurations.

I open Internet Explorer to check on the Search box options and there are no
search providers listed at all. Futhermore, there was a "Magnifying glass"
Icon and dimmed out "Search..." in the Search box.

Over the last few months I have repeated the same scenario several times:
making the adm template file, adding it to the Computer GPO Configuration,
enabling the "Popuplate list...", etc..., etc..., etc..., and all with the
same results - no list of search providers after enabling "Restrict search
providers to specific list of search providers" setting.

I have search all over on the Internet and most tech help websites refer
back the Microsoft Ariticle ID: 918238. The only other articled I ran into
that came close to being of any help at all was a privately engineered .adm
file. I didn't want to go with that writer suggested.

I would really like to get this whole thing with the "Populate list of
search providers" vs. "Restrict search providers to a specific list of search
providers" worked out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

Such minor things do happen but is that SearchShopes by chance a typo in your post or the way you spelled that registry subkey ?

Also, KB Article ID: 918238 APPLIES TO Windows Internet Explorer 7, are you sure it also applies to IE 8

Bubba

 

From what I've read I'll play skeptic too. Maybe you can attack it the way this person describes:

http://www.vistaheads.com/forums/mi...rch-provider-doesnt-work-ie8.html#post1215162

 

Thanks to both of you peeps for the responses.

Funny thing is, about an hour after I started this thread I discovered a much better way.

No LOL. I spelled it correctly for the subkey LOL

I really don't know...

Actually, I figured out another way that's 10x more simple and furthermore it worked the very first time I tried it. However, that was with IE7 installed on different computer. Gonna try it on my other computer with IE8 and see what happens.

 

Okay.

I actually improved on the method that I used to set it up with IE7 earlier. I had to: there are at least 3x as many Registry items with IE8.

All I did was export the SearchScopes key. I modified the .reg file by adding "Policies" to all the subkey names(HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer.....) , saved it to a different .reg file and then Merged it.

Made my Local Computer Policy>User Configuration to Restrict search providers to a specific list of providers. It work immediately. Tried to install more search providers to no avail...and that's just the way I like it

Took a couple of reboots and an auto CHKDSK afterwards, had some FP's (probably cuz I'm using FAT32), but now it's working fine.