Change Search Engine in Windows Mobile 6.5 Registry

Windows Mobile 6.5 natively integrates Internet Explorer Mobile, which uses predefined registry keys to manage default search providers and address bar queries. By accessing and modifying specific keys within the system registry, users and administrators can replace the default search provider (such as Bing) with alternative engines like Google or Yahoo. This guide details the exact registry paths, values, and steps required to alter the default browser search engine on a Windows Mobile 6.5 device.

Prerequisites

Modifying the Windows Mobile registry requires a mobile registry editor installed on the device. Common tools include:

• PHM Registry Editor
• Resco Registry Editor
• Total Commander for Windows Mobile

Ensure the device is backed up before modifying registry values, as incorrect entries can cause system instability.

Method 1: Modifying SearchScopes (Standard IEMobile 6)

Windows Mobile 6.5 uses the SearchScopes architecture similar to desktop Internet Explorer to manage search providers.

1. Launch your mobile registry editor.
2. Navigate to the following path: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
3. Under the SearchScopes key, you will see subkeys named with unique GUIDs (e.g., {0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}).
4. Locate the subkey for the search provider you want to use, or create a new key with a custom GUID.
5. Inside the target provider's key, ensure the following String (REG_SZ) values are set:
   • DisplayName: The name of the search engine (e.g., Google).
   • URL: The query URL with the placeholder for search terms. For Google, set it to: http://www.google.com/search?q={searchTerms}
6. Return to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes].
7. Change the String (REG_SZ) value named DefaultScope to match the exact GUID of the desired provider.

Method 2: Modifying Legacy Address Bar Search

If searching directly from the Internet Explorer Mobile address bar does not update via SearchScopes, the legacy search path must be edited:

1. In the registry editor, navigate to: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search]
2. Locate the String (REG_SZ) named SearchURL.
3. Change its value data to your preferred engine's query string:
   • Google: http://www.google.com/m?q=%s
   • Bing: http://m.bing.com/search?q=%s
4. If a value named SearchAssistant exists in the same location, update it to point to your preferred mobile search homepage (e.g., http://www.google.com/m).

Applying the Changes

1. Close the registry editor.
2. Perform a soft reset on the Windows Mobile 6.5 device (hold the power button or press the physical reset pinhole).
3. Open Internet Explorer Mobile and test the address bar or search bar to confirm queries redirect to the newly configured search provider.