How to Fix Chrome Omnibox Search When the Address Bar Isn’t Working

Have you ever opened Google Chrome, typed a search into the address bar, and instead of getting Google search results, you received an error such as “This site can’t be reached”?

That happened to me recently, and the fix turned out to be pretty simple.

Chrome’s address bar is also called the omnibox. Besides typing website addresses into it, you can type almost anything you want to search for and Chrome will send that search to your default search engine.

But if that search engine setting gets changed, your omnibox may suddenly stop behaving the way you expect.

Check Your Default Search Engine

The first thing to check is which search engine Chrome is using.

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Click the three dots in the upper-right corner.

3. Select Settings.

4. Click Search engine.

5. Look at the search engine currently selected for the address bar.

6. If you normally use Google, make sure Google is selected.

You can also get there quickly by typing this directly into Chrome's address bar:

chrome://settings/search

Once you've changed the default search engine, open a new tab and try typing a normal search into the omnibox again.

For example:

best restaurants near Philadelphia

Instead of Chrome trying to treat those words like a website address, you should get normal search results.

Check for an Unfamiliar Search Engine

Another thing worth checking is whether a search engine you don't recognize has appeared in Chrome.

Enter:

chrome://settings/searchEngines

Here you can see the search engines and site-search options that Chrome knows about.

If your normal search engine has been replaced, set the search engine you want back as the default.

An unfamiliar search engine doesn't automatically mean that your computer has a virus. Extensions and other software can sometimes change Chrome settings. However, if your default search engine changed without you intentionally changing it, it's worth investigating.

Check Your Chrome Extensions

If the search engine keeps changing, check your extensions.

Type:

chrome://extensions

Look through the extensions that are installed.

If you see something you don't recognize or something you recently installed around the time the problem started, you can disable it temporarily and test Chrome again.

Chrome extensions can have permission to change things such as your search engine, new-tab page, or homepage.

Still Not Working? Reset Chrome

If you've tried everything above and Chrome still isn't working correctly, you can reset Chrome's settings.

Go to:

Settings → Reset settings → Restore settings to their original defaults

Chrome says that resetting your settings does not delete your saved bookmarks or passwords, although it does reset several browser settings and disables extensions.

I would use this as a later troubleshooting step rather than the first thing you try.

The Quick Fix

If searches suddenly aren't working from Chrome's address bar, start here:

Chrome → Settings → Search engine → Choose your preferred search engine

For me, this is one of those small Chrome settings that's easy to overlook but can make it seem like something much bigger is wrong with your browser.

If your Chrome omnibox suddenly says “This site can’t be reached” when you're simply trying to search, check that default search engine before doing anything complicated.

Sometimes the fix really is that simple.

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Quick Tip: Bookmark chrome://settings/search if you manage or troubleshoot a lot of computers. It takes you directly to Chrome's search engine settings.

 

How to Copy an Entire Gemini Notebook

Google recently added a useful new feature to Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM): you can now make a copy of an entire notebook.

Instead of rebuilding a notebook from scratch, you can duplicate one that you own or one that has been shared with you—as long as copying has been allowed.

This could be especially helpful for teachers, students, teams, or anyone who wants to use an existing notebook as a starting point.

How to Copy a Gemini Notebook

Making a copy only takes a few seconds.

1. Open Gemini Notebook.

2. Open the notebook you want to duplicate.

3. At the top of the notebook, click Copy.

4. Click Create.

Gemini Notebook will create a separate copy and add it to your notebook library.

That's it!

What Gets Copied?

This is where the feature becomes especially useful.

Your copy can include the notebook's sources as well as Studio content that has already been created.

That can include:

• Audio Overviews

• Video Overviews

• Study Guides

• Flashcards

• Quizzes

• Slide Decks

If the notebook includes files from Google Drive, you will also need permission to access and copy those original files.

What Does NOT Get Copied?

There are a couple of important things to know.

Your personal chat history and user-created notes are not transferred to the new notebook.

The copied notebook is also completely independent from the original.

That means if the owner changes the original notebook later, those changes will not automatically appear in your copy.

You can make the copy your own by adding new sources, asking different questions, creating new study materials, and changing the notebook however you want.

A Great Idea for Teachers

I think this feature has a lot of potential in education.

For example, a teacher could create a Gemini Notebook containing:

• Class readings

• PDFs

• Websites

• Study materials

• Videos

• Review resources

The teacher could then share the notebook with students and allow them to make their own copies.

Each student could take that copy and create personalized flashcards, quizzes, study guides, notes, or Audio Overviews without changing the teacher's original notebook.

That turns one teacher-created resource into something each student can customize for themselves.

How to Allow Other People to Copy Your Notebook

If you are sharing your own notebook, you can control whether other people are allowed to duplicate it.

Open the notebook and click Share.

Look for the option labeled Allow copies.

When this option is turned on, people you have shared the notebook with can create their own copy of the notebook and its available sources and artifacts.

Final Thoughts

This isn't a huge Gemini Notebook update, but it may be one of those small features that ends up being extremely useful.

Being able to create a notebook once and then let other people make their own copies opens up some interesting possibilities for classrooms, professional development, collaborative projects, study materials, and reusable templates.

If you use Gemini Notebook, give the new Copy feature a try.

And if you're looking for more quick tutorials on Google, Gemini, AI, education technology, and other useful tech tools, check out Time to Talk Tech for more.

 

How to Find Which Version of Outlook You Have

Are you using Outlook 2024, Outlook 2021, or Microsoft 365?

Sometimes it can be confusing, especially when you are following an Outlook tutorial and your screen looks different from the one being shown.

Fortunately, there is a quick way to check.

Check Your Outlook Version on Windows

If you are using Classic Outlook, follow these steps:

1. Open Outlook.

2. Click File in the upper-left corner.

3. Select Office Account.

4. Look for the Product Information section.

Here you should see the Microsoft Office product installed on your computer.

For example, you may see:

• Microsoft 365

• Office 2024

• Office 2021

• Another Office edition provided by your school or workplace

What If I Don't See the File Menu?

If you're using the new Outlook for Windows, you may not see the traditional File menu.

An easy way to check your Microsoft Office version is to open another Office application such as Microsoft Word or Excel.

Then:

1. Click File.

2. Select Account.

3. Look under Product Information.

This will tell you which Office product you are using.

Office 2024 vs. Microsoft 365

There is an important difference between the two.

Office 2024 is a one-time-purchase version of Microsoft Office.

Microsoft 365 is a subscription that receives ongoing updates and new features.

So even though it is 2026, someone using Microsoft 365 does not necessarily have something called "Outlook 2026." Their Outlook application is updated as part of their Microsoft 365 subscription.

Quick Tip

Knowing your version of Outlook can be especially helpful when you're trying to follow a tutorial or troubleshoot a problem. Different versions of Outlook don't always have the same menus, buttons, or features.

For more simple technology tutorials, visit Time to Talk Tech.

Sources

Microsoft Support — What version of Office am I using?
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/lc-account/about-office-what-version-of-office-am-i-using

Microsoft Support — Microsoft 365 vs. Office 2024
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/lc-account/what-s-the-difference-between-microsoft-365-and-office-2024

How to Make the Inbox Font Bigger in Outlook

If the text in your Outlook inbox seems too small, you can increase the size of the sender names, subject lines, and message information without changing the size of everything on your computer.

Here is how to do it in the classic desktop version of Outlook for Windows.

Make the Outlook Inbox Font Bigger

1. Open Outlook.
2. Select the View tab.
3. Click View Settings.
4. Select Other Settings.
5. Click Row Font.
6. Choose the font size you would like.
7. Click OK.
8. Continue clicking OK until you return to your inbox.

Your inbox should immediately display the larger text.

Row Font vs. Column Font

Outlook gives you several font options.

If you want to increase the size of the sender name, subject, and message information, choose Row Font.

Column Font controls the headings at the top of the message list.

What About the New Outlook?

The new version of Outlook handles this differently.

In new Outlook:

View → View Settings → Mail → Layout → Text size and spacing

You can then choose Small, Medium, or Large.

A Simple Outlook Accessibility Tip

This is a small setting, but it can make Outlook much easier to use, especially on high-resolution monitors where the default text can sometimes appear too small.

Microsoft instructions:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/create-change-or-customize-a-view-in-outlook

 

How to Create a Rubric with Gemini in Google Classroom

Google Classroom now makes it easier for teachers to create rubrics with the help of Gemini.

Instead of starting a rubric from scratch, Gemini can generate criteria based on your assignment and the skills you want students to demonstrate. You can then review and edit the rubric before adding it to your assignment.

How to Generate a Rubric with Gemini

1. Open Google Classroom and select your class.

2. Go to Classwork.

3. Create a new Assignment.

4. Add your assignment title and instructions.

5. Find Rubric and select Generate new.

6. Choose the appropriate grade level and number of performance levels.

7. Describe the knowledge or skills you want students to demonstrate.

8. Select Generate criteria.

9. Review and edit the criteria Gemini creates.

10. Generate and save your finished rubric.

That's it!

Gemini gives you a starting point, but I recommend reviewing the criteria, descriptions, performance levels, and point values before using the rubric with students.

Example

For my example, I created a simple 8th-grade persuasive writing assignment.

I asked Gemini to create a rubric based on students' ability to:

• Clearly state an opinion

• Support the opinion with relevant reasons and evidence

• Organize ideas logically

• Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Within seconds, Gemini created rubric criteria that I could review and customize.

Watch the Video

In the video above, I walk through the entire process so you can see exactly where to find the new Gemini rubric generator and how it works.

What If I Don't See "Generate New"?

Your access to Gemini features in Google Classroom can depend on your Google Workspace for Education account and your school's settings.

If you don't see the option, check with your Google Workspace administrator to see whether Gemini in Classroom is enabled.

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Have you tried Gemini in Google Classroom? What Google Classroom or Gemini feature would you like to see me cover next?

Time to Talk Tech
Simple, practical technology tips and tutorials.

 

How to Change the Default Font Size in Outlook 2024

If you use Microsoft Outlook 2024 and want to change the default font or font size for your emails, you can do it in just a few steps.

Once you change the setting, Outlook will automatically use your preferred font when you create new email messages.

How to Change the Default Font in Outlook 2024

1. Open Microsoft Outlook 2024.

2. Click File in the upper-left corner.

3. Select Options.

4. Click Mail.

5. Select Stationery and Fonts.

6. Under New mail messages, click Font.

7. Choose your preferred font, font style, and font size.

8. Click OK.

9. Click OK again to save your Outlook settings.

That's it! The next time you create a new email, Outlook should automatically use your new font settings.

Change the Font for Replies and Forwarded Emails

You can also change the font Outlook uses when you reply to or forward an email.

Go back to:

File → Options → Mail → Stationery and Fonts

This time, select Font under Replying or forwarding messages.

Choose the font and size you want and click OK to save your changes.

Using the New Outlook?

These instructions are for Outlook 2024 / Classic Outlook for Windows.

If you are using Microsoft's New Outlook, the steps are different. I'll have a separate tutorial showing you how to change the default font in New Outlook.

For more quick and practical technology tutorials, check out more tips here on Time to Talk Tech and subscribe to the Time to Talk Tech YouTube channel.