Yahoo! search toolbar  
Download Yahoo toolbar
The Yahoo! search toolbar is my top pick for stability, reliability, customization, and support. Though it is a fully-integrated solution for those with Yahoo! email accounts, the Yahoo! search toolbar has something to offer everyone.
 The Good
One-click access to local weather, news, sports, etc. One-click access to your Yahoo mail account(s), allows users to choose any or all other offered add-on buttons giving one-click access to sites like ebay, Facebook, Twitter, and many more. Instant access to all the Yahoo! services such as Yahoo! Answers and My Yahoo! for those with a Yahoo! email account. Has the ability to store bookmarks in the Yahoo! profile which lets users access their saved bookmarks from any machine on which they sign into their Yahoo! account. Visually appealing.
 The Bad
One look: Toolbar remains standard gray, against desires of Mozilla Firefox users who may choose to change backgrounds of their web browser. Everything in the Yahoo! toolbar screams Yahoo! and in order to use the full features of this search toolbar, one must have a Yahoo! account.
 More information
Low security risk. Stable. Will use Yahoo search engine. Allows users to choose whether or not to change browser search settings. No spyware/adware.
Google search toolbar 
Download Google toolbar
The Google toolbar is a top choice for users who prefer the Google search engine.
The Good
Offers access to Gmail, Google services such as Google Reader, and links to services like the Google news. Includes optional enhanced features such as a sidebar. All Google services are one click away.
The Bad
The autofill feature is a nice touch but I had issues when using such as the text "floating" on the screen after using autofill. This feature is also a serious privacy concern for most users. Toolbar options, buttons, settings, etc. are limited only to Google services with no further customizations. Communicates often with the web, even when not being used. Installs by default the Google Search box, which is a desktop search engine appearing as a button next to the Windows Start menu.
More information
Low security risk. Google default search engine. No spyware/adware.
Ask search toolbar 
Download Ask toolbar
The free Ask.com search toolbar offers convenient search using the Ask.com search engine.
The Good
Available buttons on the toolbar interface open into menus. Though limited, the Ask free search toolbar is a nice addition for those who enjoy variety in their web browser. Quick access to weather news, and social networking. Fast searches. Easy.
The Bad
Most features of the Ask toolbar are not very remarkable. Too limited for customization. Some security applications intercept installation of Ask search toolbar and report it as a risk: Spyware. This toolbar is often installed as an optional toolbar packaged with many freeware titles today.
More information
Minor security risk. Triggers many security applications as spyware/adware. Ask.com default search engine.
Bing search toolbar
Download Bing Toolbar
The Good
Allows users access to their Microsoft Hotmail account. This toolbar has a very pleasing flow to its appearance and if judging toolbars on looks alone, this one would most likely win the contest. The Bing search toolbar contains the usual offering of weather and an autofill option similar to that offered with the Google search toolbar. In addition the Bing search toolbar boasts built-in pop-up blocking and surf protection! It has some customizations available and users can choose a theme color for their Bing search toolbar.
The Bad
Very limited options. Slows browser opening/closing.
More information
Low security risk. Uses Bing.com search engine. No spyware/adware.
You are invited!
Let's go web surfing! What search toolbar do you use? How many do you/have you used? What's your favorite? What features do/would you like to see in search toolbars? Questions about a free search toolbar? Suggestions or comments for improving this article content? Join in and participate by commenting below!
|
Subscribe to our RSS feed or enter your email address below to get the feed delivered to you by email:
We are currently looking for people with skills and/or interest in the following areas:
Printer-friendly version
Comments
Just finished a 6 month project of lots of downloads that included BHO's, toolbars and the like. It's on an old PC running XP, so not critical, just (sick) fun.
Wish I could upload a pic of my IE8. Need to tap my page down button twice before I get any clear space to see any sites. Then it's only a line.
Microsoft is the worst with it's "Forced" inclusions. Luckily most can be disabled. Yahoo, Live, ASK, Adobe, Nero, lots of printer and fax programs, and a Smeg load of others all smack you in the face plate of your monitor.
The lesson is, who cares. Delete and say NO to nearly everything then go to your delete programs and delete all that you said no that forced their download onto your PC anyway, then clean out their rubbish with a good registry cleaner. ASK and Yahoo toolbar are notoriously infamous for doing this sort of twisted unwanted thing.
Yeah,I did that once. I thought toolbars were a cool add-on for a browser. I installed one called the Advanced Searchbar once and everything was fine for a short time. Later it updated and a day or two later a smitfrad (fake av)popped up and I had the usual difficulty with this malware. I uninstalled the toolbar and the smifraud was gone without destroying my OS,lucky me.There are no more toolbars on any of my browsers,they are just not needed. AOL and Yahoo's toolbars might be OK to have,Google is not trustworthy (for obvious reasons).
I can't believe Copernic has not made this list yet.
http://www.copernic.com/
Been using it for several years now!
Copernic is the top choice at the Best Free Desktop Search Utility review here at Gizmo's Freeware.
This category is for online search toolbars. I looked at the Copernic site, but did not see an online search toolbar, but I could have missed it.
Does Copernic offer an online search toolbar?
Personally, I use the built-in OpenSearch (Search Engine at top right-hand corner on both Firefox 2/3 and IE 7/8).
Many more plugins are provided here: http://mycroft.mozdev.org/
You can add any search box as a plugin using this Firefox extension: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3682
Locate32 is the best there is.
Copernic shows ads in the newest free versions, while the 2 series didn't.
Locate32 finds as fast as you can type, & can find text within files just like win 98 could.
It is blazing fast, just be sure to update the indexes now and then!
Is this topic even relevent anymore? Don't all the new web browsers have a built in search engine toolbar?
why not simply add the search plugins you want? no need for an aditional toolbar, thanks.
I think you're missing the best desktop search option: Copernic Desktop. It's free and simply blows anything else away.
Firefox has a great search toolbar called Web search Pro. I use it all the time.
http://www.groowe.com/
Toolbar which includes multiple search engines. Also allows browsing of search engine directories.
for ie and also firefox
Post new comment