Member Avatar for Gigi1108

This should be an easy one for all you experts out there.

I downloaded the google toolbar, and now the main internet search bar is gone. Now when I go to a site, I can't even tell what the http is. There's no where for it to appear. Can someone tell me how to get this area back? I have Windows XP 2003, I think. Thank you!

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and have already covered the usual toolbar/size issues and noted that sliding controls helped a bit. Additional, non-repeated troubleshooting that often fixes a missing address/URL field:

Toggling full‑screen can hide the whole chrome; try F11 to switch modes. Keyboard focus shortcuts like Alt+D, Ctrl+L or F6 will jump to the address box even when it seems invisible, which confirms the field still exists. Running the browser with add‑ons disabled (start iexplore.exe -extoff) isolates whether the Google toolbar or another extension is stealing space.

If an add‑on is the culprit, removing or disabling it is the next step. Close all browser windows first, then uninstall the toolbar from the OS Add/Remove Programs control panel (Windows XP: Add or Remove Programs). On versions of Internet Explorer with add‑on management, use Tools → Manage Add‑ons → Toolbars and Extensions to disable the offending entry and restart the browser.

When those steps fail, a settings reset will restore the browser chrome to defaults. Export or back up Favorites before proceeding. In Internet Options → Advanced there is a Reset/Restore option that returns menus and toolbars to the original state. As a last resort, creating a new Windows user profile or reinstalling the browser will give a clean UI layout.

Notes and cautions: exporting bookmarks/favorites first prevents loss; disabling/uninstalling third‑party toolbars is less destructive than a full reset; keep the system updated to avoid compatibility quirks with older toolbars and modern security fixes.

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Member Avatar for JemB

go to view - toolbars - click on address bar so it has a tick by it. that should do it.

Member Avatar for Dani

Sometimes this happens when you download a toolbar (such as the Google toolbar) and it spreads itself out shrinking the Address bar until it becomes nearly invisible. If JemB's method didn't work, click the View menu and then Toolbars and make sure that Lock the Toolbar is UNTICKED. There should be a little vertical dotted line to the left of the Google toolbar. Try dragging it to make it smaller. You should be able to find the address bar somehow and drag it to make it larger or reposition it. I can't really explain what I'm trying to say. Maybe someone else can clarify.

Member Avatar for Gigi1108

Hi JemB. Thank you for the advice. This didn't work, however. I had to slide some of the areas over, and I didn't know I could do this. But thanks for your reply!

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