How can I eliminate the previous search requests that appear
automatically in the Google search drop-down window?

Greetings, ratman1234!

You do not specify whether you are referring to the drop-down list in
the Google Toolbar, or in your Browser, so I will try to address both.


CLEARING SEARCH HISTORY FROM GOOGLE TOOLBAR
-------------------------------------------
If you are referring to the Google Toolbar:
http://toolbar.google.com

From the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the Google Toolbar:

"2. How can I clear my search history? 

If you want to clear your previous searches from the drop down text
box:

Click on the Google logo to access the drop down menu. 
Choose the Clear Search History option. This will clear all the
previous searches out of the drop down box.
Note: this clears your Toolbar's search history, which is different
from clearing your browser's search history. To clear your Internet
Explorer browser's history:

Click the browser's Tools menu. 
Select Internet Options... (the last entry in the list). 
Click the General tab. 
Click the Clear History button. To completely disable the history
function, change the "Days to keep pages in history" to 0 (zero.)"
http://toolbar.google.com/faq.html#history


CLEARING SEARCH HISTORY FROM INTERNET EXPLORER
OR NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR BROWSERS
----------------------------------------------
This will depend on the browser which you are using, and the version
number of that browser.

Earthlink's Technical Support Database contains excellent "how-to"
files on this subject, including step-by-step instructions and
pictures of the procedures:

"Clearing the Cache and History Files in Internet Explorer 5.x"
(This also works for Internet Explorer 6.x)
http://support.earthlink.net/mu/1/psc/img/walkthroughs/windows_9x_nt/browsers/ie_5.0/0313.5v.clear.psc.html

"How to clear the History in Netscape 6.x"
http://support.earthlink.net/mu/1/psc/img/walkthroughs/windows_9x_nt/browsers/Netscape_6.0/2329.psc.html

"Clearing the History in Netscape Navigator 4.5-4.61 for Macintosh"
http://support.earthlink.net/mu/1/psc/img/walkthroughs/macintosh/browsers/netscape_4.61/0077.5bv.history.psc.html


If one of these does not address your specific browser/version, go to
this Earthlink Support page, scroll down past the search boxes, and
look for your browser name and version number:
http://start.earthlink.net/cgi-bin/htsearch?words=clear+browser+history
(This page lists 10 items; Note that you can click on "Next" to go to
the next 5 items.)


Before Rating my Answer, if none of the methods I have listed above
meets your needs, or you have questions about the information I have
provided, please post a "Request for Clarification", and I will be
glad to see what I can do for you.

I hope that this Answer provides you with exactly the information you
needed!

Regards,

aceresearcher

---

Clarification of Answer by aceresearcher-ga on 26 Mar 2003 12:39 PST

ratman1234,

Thank you for the excellent 5-star rating.

You are correct... It IS easy IF you know where to look, and it is
part of our job to help you understand how and where to look, but I
forgot to include my Search Strategy, so here it is:

clear browser search history
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=clear+browser+search+history


I am delighted that my Answer provided you with what you needed!

Regards,

ace

It's soo easy...if you know where to look.  Thank you very much,

Ronnie