Export, Backup or Copy Out the IE Search Providers List
Beginning from Internet Explorer 7 (IE7), Internet Explorer (IE) has a new feature called Search Bar with Instant Search box, replacing the Search Assistant and Search Pane in Internet Explorer 6 (IE6). The unique feature of Instant Search box is that users can add as many search providers as they want to the Instant Search box, which can be selected later as the search engine to use to perform a search for whatever keywords typed in the Instant Search box. And the search can be done using different search providers simply by selecting another engine using the drop-down list on the Instant Search box.
Microsoft provides plenty of ready-built search providers (no longer available) to add to the Instant Search box in IE. It’s also possible to make your own custom and specialized search providers (refer to KB918238).
When your Internet Explorer has many custom made search providers, you probably want to do a backup of the search providers list. Ability to export the search providers list also useful when you want to copy or migrate the search providers list to another computer or for sharing. It’s also wise to backup the search providers list especially those with a big list just in case hard disk corrupts and you have to reformat Windows. Restore from backup will save a great deal of time.
How to Copy Out and Export IE7 Search Providers List
IE stores list of search providers in the registry. So to export the search providers list, simply export the registry key:
Run Registry Editor by typing regedit in Start Search (for Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista), or Run command (for most Windows including Windows XP).
In Registry Editor, navigate to the following branch:
Make sure SearchScopes branch is selected by clicking on SearchScopes.
From the “File” menu, click Export, give a filename and save the file as a .REG file. You can also right click on “SearchScopes” and select “Export” on contextual menu.
Exit Registry Editor.
It’s also possible to export the said search providers list registry key from command line. To do this, open a command prompt, and type the following command (you can also copy and paste into command line):
A file named SearchProviders.reg (you can name yourself, but make sure the file extension is .reg to indicate that it’s a registry file) will be created at current directory.
How to Restore and Import Search Providers List
Once search providers list is exported and saved, simply double click on the .reg file to merge the merge the contents to the registry, and re-create all search providers list. If you want to copy the list to another computer, simply transfer over the .reg file and install it.
The trick works on most version of IE, including IE7, IE8, IE9, IE10, IE11 or later.
LK is a technology writer for Tech Journey with background of system and network administrator. He has be documenting his experiences in digital and technology world for over 15 years.Connect with LK through Tech Journey on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
