Where is Search?

[MaryL]

I have always had two Search options under Vista. If I click on the Start
button, there is a box at the bottom of the screen where I can enter a term
and search. That option has never been very helpful. However, there was
previously another Search option after I clicked on Start. It was among the
list on the right side that includes Control Panel, Default Programs, Help
and Support, etc. Using that option, I could enter locations to search -- I
usually only want to search Drive C and am not interested in searching the
Internet with this option.

Well, that second item seems to have disappeared! Help! Have I lost my
mind? As far as I can tell, this happened only after SP1 was installed. I
located the same box by going to Help and Support and searching for it there
(ironic, isn't it?), but I could not figure out where it is actually
located. It doesn't make much sense to search for a search box so that I
can enter information in the search box!!!

Can any of you tell from this description what has happened and how I can
solve the problem? It would even help if I could create a shortcut to the
desktop for that Search box, but that could not be done within the box.

Thanks (and I hope you can decipher all this...)
MaryL

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

One shortcut command that would work like that is:
%userprofile%/searches

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Mark L. Ferguson
..

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Overview of Windows Vista desktop search Changes in Windows Vista Service Pack 1
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q941946

Microsoft details Vista SP1 search changes
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/09/12/Microsoft-details-Vista-SP1-search-changes_1.html

How to Restore the Search Context Menu Item after Installing the Vista SP1
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/134065-search-context-menu-item-restore-after-vista-sp1.html

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

:

I have always had two Search options under Vista. If I click on the Start
button, there is a box at the bottom of the screen where I can enter a term
and search. That option has never been very helpful. However, there was
previously another Search option after I clicked on Start. It was among the
list on the right side that includes Control Panel, Default Programs, Help
and Support, etc. Using that option, I could enter locations to search -- I
usually only want to search Drive C and am not interested in searching the
Internet with this option.

Well, that second item seems to have disappeared! Help! Have I lost my
mind? As far as I can tell, this happened only after SP1 was installed. I
located the same box by going to Help and Support and searching for it there
(ironic, isn't it?), but I could not figure out where it is actually
located. It doesn't make much sense to search for a search box so that I
can enter information in the search box!!!

Can any of you tell from this description what has happened and how I can
solve the problem? It would even help if I could create a shortcut to the
desktop for that Search box, but that could not be done within the box.

Thanks (and I hope you can decipher all this...)
MaryL

 

[MaryL]

I don't understand this at all. I checked all three links you provided.
The third link *looked* like it should provide what I want. Instead, there
was a "free download" for ErrorSmart, which seems to be a diagnostics
program that provided a very quick scan of my system. ErrorSmart reported
that I have 448 errors on my system. To fix the errors, I would have to
purchase their program! I did not see any reference at all to restoring the
Search function that I wanted (although the opening page claimed that).

Once again, have I missed something? What if I simply use System Restore to
go back *before* SP1 was installed? Would that solve my problem, or would I
be creating still others?

Thanks,
MaryL

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

This should work:

Restore the Start menu Search link in Vista Service Pack 1
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/restore-the-start-menu-search-link-in-vista-service-pack-1/

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

I don't understand this at all. I checked all three links you provided.
The third link *looked* like it should provide what I want. Instead, there
was a "free download" for ErrorSmart, which seems to be a diagnostics
program that provided a very quick scan of my system. ErrorSmart reported
that I have 448 errors on my system. To fix the errors, I would have to
purchase their program! I did not see any reference at all to restoring the
Search function that I wanted (although the opening page claimed that).

Once again, have I missed something? What if I simply use System Restore to
go back *before* SP1 was installed? Would that solve my problem, or would I
be creating still others?

Thanks,
MaryL

 

[MaryL]

This is a correction to my previous message. I had not scrolled down far
enough (in other words, to get past the ErrorSmart download). When I
finally did that, I found the instructions for replacing the Search option I
want. However: One option says that the Search button will replace either
the Help and Support button or the Run button. I certainly do not want to
replace Help and Support. Ironically, the Run button also seems to already
be missing! Another option was to pin the Search button to the Start menu.
However, it says that will not work with Classic (which I use). Finally, it
says I can create a shortcut to the desktop. When I tried to do that, I
could not go any farther because it says I am not logged in. It seems I
need a password to go any farther.

Do you have any suggestions? And, to go back to my thoughts before I found
these instructions -- What if I simply use System Restore to go back
*before* SP1 was installed? Would that solve my problem, or would I be
creating still others?

MaryL

 

[MaryL]

Hello MaryL,
Today is your LUCKY day. You can have your Search menu back on the
right side AND you can have a search shortcut too !! The link below will
show you how to restore the search menu, and read the " related links "
section, you'll find out about the short cut.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/145787-search-start-menu-button-restore-after-sp1.html

Let me know if that helps.

No, so far I have been unsuccessful. I just posted a message (actually, my
second response) to Carey Frisch that details the problems I had.

Thanks,
MaryL

 

[MaryL]

Additional infos :
I was using the link I gave you, and I was never asked for password
installing the shortcut. Were you logged on in admin account ?

When I get to the place to click on search.zip to download the shortcut, a
dialog box says "You are not logged in or you do not have permission to
access this page." The problem is that I have never seen Vista Forums
before, and I do not have a password or username. Is this a group that I
should consider joining so that I will have a password?

I am the administrator on my computer. It is configured so that I am never
asked for administrator rights when I install a program. Incidentally, Run
(in addition to Search) has also been missing since installing SP1. Is
there any real benefit to SP1, as far as you know, and would I lose much by
using System Restore to go back to before it was installed?

It may be that I will have to give up the quick access to Help and Restore
that I like since I do use Search far more often.

Thanks,
MaryL

 

[MaryL]

Additional infos :
I was using the link I gave you, and I was never asked for password
installing the shortcut. Were you logged on in admin account ?

Success! I decided to register for Vista Forums since both you and Carey
Frisch had directed me to that site. I did experiment a couple of times,
and I had to enter my password each time I went through the procedure. It
looks like this will be a good site for future information, too. But I am
frustrated by losing some of the functionality I had in XP, although I like
Vista overall. The change to Windows Mail with OE7 is one of the things I
regret.

MaryL

 

[MaryL]

Hello MaryL,
I'll work my way from back to front.
1. It's your call : Search or Help and Support.
2. SP1 is supposed to fix the bugs from Vista. As it turns out, the
bug-fixer has bugs of its own. If your were content with the ways it
were before SP1, un-install it. Wait till Microsoft finds a way to
de-bug SP1, then get it.
3. It's never a good idea to have an administrator account Without
password,
4. From the way you put it, my guess is someone helped you disable the
User Account Control (UAC). " It is configured so that I am never asked
for administrator rights ---"
5. Here is a link called "Take Ownership of an Item ". Have it
installed. When you get to the stage to open the search.zip, Right click
on the zipped file, click Take Ownership, then open the file. The rest
should be smooth sailing. Here is the link :

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html

Almost forgot. The " password " the computer was asking is the password
you are "supposed" to enter each time you log on to your computer. But
you said you don't have that. It has NOTHING to do with joining this
forum.
Keep me informed. Good luck.

Hi,

Thanks for the information. Just to clarify: I bought the full version of
Vista instead of OEM, and the Staples Geek Squad set it up. That's why I
have administrator rights but no password. I admit that I requested it. No
one has access to my computer except me, and the constant for administrator
rights used to drive me crazy when XP in my office required that. After I
registered for Vista Forums and entered a password, I was able to download
the search button to my desktop -- so, in this case, it really was a Vista
Forums password that was needed. I did not need a password to open the link
you provided or to navigate within it. However, I had to have one when I
clicked on search.zip to download the icon to my desktop.

Again, thanks for your help.
MaryL

 

[lforbes]

Hi Mary,

You will need to run regedit to accomplish this. I was pretty annoyed at
Microsoft for doing this too. I cannot imagine WHY it had to take away all
reference to the search function in order to allow other search engines. I
don't want to install a Google search.

Open Regedit
Navigate to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\find
In the right pane, right click on LegacyDisable and click Delete.
Click Yes to confirm deletion.
Restart.

Cheers,
Lara

 

[lforbes]

The Vista Forums Link you and Carey Gave requires you to login to their site
in order to get their solution. Personally I think that is in poor taste.
Therefore I have given Mary the proper procedure without having to login to
any 3rd party site.

It was nothing to do with the admin password or anything.

Cheers,
Lara

 

[MaryL]

Hi Mary,

You will need to run regedit to accomplish this. I was pretty annoyed at
Microsoft for doing this too. I cannot imagine WHY it had to take away all
reference to the search function in order to allow other search engines. I
don't want to install a Google search.

Open Regedit
Navigate to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\find
In the right pane, right click on LegacyDisable and click Delete.
Click Yes to confirm deletion.
Restart.

Cheers,
Lara

Will that delete the Help and Support button, or will it simply add the
Search button back to its original position? (And have you also noticed
that the Run button has been missing since SP1?)

Thanks!
MaryL

 

[MaryL]

Hello MaryL,
Nice to know you finally got what you wanted. Just one clarification :
it wasn't "a Vista Forum "password that got you what you wanted. It's
because you finally gave yourself "a password" which was needed in this
case to finish the installation. Make sure you Remember the password,
keep it somewhere for reference. See ya.

NO! I have lots of passwords for numerous groups (and have to keep a file so
I can remember them all). I was in the Vista Forums address, and that is
where I had to *register* and enter both a password and username. This same
password and username must be entered if I want to post anything to Vista
Forums.

MaryL

 

[MaryL]

MaryL, I've read all the replies to you original post, and noticed that
no-one mentioned the 2 easiest shortcuts there are, instead they
overloaded you with registry hacks and tweaks that replaced other
functionality.

To access Search, as you know it, you can either open a Windows
Explorer view, and then use the Search box in the upper-right corner of
the window, or you can use the <WINKEY>+<F> to open the same Search
Window that was always opened with the Search Command on the start menu.

Perfect! Thanks very much.

But as for why the Search item was removed from the Start Menu, you can
thank Google for that. They cried foul like a bunch of 5 year olds about
it, and ran to the US Department of Justice, who in turn told Microsoft
that they are being uncompetitive and "asked them nicely" to remove it.
The whole idea was that Google claimed that if Search is so tightly
integrated into the OS, then no-one will use their own products (which,
personally, I believe is a bunch of rubbish - Windows Search is a far
superior product)

I noticed references to that in the process of looking for a solution. I
would think MS could have come up with a simple alternative for those of use
who want it (such as, the easy way we had in XP of creating shortcuts to the
desktop).

--
Dzomlija

Peter Alexander Dzomlija
-Do you hear, huh? The Alpha and The Omega? Death and Rebirth? And as
you die, so shall I be Reborn...-

_*Prometheus*_
MOBO: ASUS MB-M3A32-MVP Deluxe/WiFi-AP
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[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Search link (present in the right-hand side of the Start menu) is removed when you install Windows Vista Service Pack 1. Also, the Search context menu item is removed.

There are other ways to launch search. For more information, read this article.

Overview of Windows Vista desktop search Changes in Windows Vista Service Pack 1:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941946

If you wish to restore the Start menu Search link, check this post for a registry edit.

Search. context menu option removed in Vista Service Pack 1 | The Winhelponline.com Blog:
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/search-context-menu-option-removed-in-vista-service-pack-1/

Restore the Start menu Search link in Vista Service Pack 1 | The Winhelponline.com Blog:
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/restore-the-start-menu-search-link-in-vista-service-pack-1/


--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog


I have always had two Search options under Vista. If I click on the Start
button, there is a box at the bottom of the screen where I can enter a term
and search. That option has never been very helpful. However, there was
previously another Search option after I clicked on Start. It was among the
list on the right side that includes Control Panel, Default Programs, Help
and Support, etc. Using that option, I could enter locations to search -- I
usually only want to search Drive C and am not interested in searching the
Internet with this option.

Well, that second item seems to have disappeared! Help! Have I lost my
mind? As far as I can tell, this happened only after SP1 was installed. I
located the same box by going to Help and Support and searching for it there
(ironic, isn't it?), but I could not figure out where it is actually
located. It doesn't make much sense to search for a search box so that I
can enter information in the search box!!!

Can any of you tell from this description what has happened and how I can
solve the problem? It would even help if I could create a shortcut to the
desktop for that Search box, but that could not be done within the box.

Thanks (and I hope you can decipher all this...)
MaryL

 

[MaryL]

I think Google had a good point, reduce the functionality of Windows
to that of a platform to run other utilities and applications. I
personally use X1 for search and it seems very good, there are other
(free) alternatives too.

--
Chris Game

"There is much pleasure to be gained in useless knowledge."
-- Bertrand Russell

My concern is that I used Windows Search to search *my own documents.* The
search line that appears at the top of each folder does not provide any
options ("advanced search"), as this one does. Ironically, I had to remove
the Google Toolbar because it caused frequent "program does not respond"
problems, and I have not had any problems since deleting it.

MaryL

 

[MaryL]

To make it easier to run alternatives? I use X2, it's free and far
superior.

--
Chris Game

"I don't know why I did it, I don't know why I enjoyed it,
and I don't know why I'll do it again." -- Bart Simpson

I'm not familiar with X2. I did a search, and did locate this information
for X1 (which looks interesting): http://www.x1.com/products/xds.html
Is that the program you are talking about? If so, can you direct me to the
page for the free version?

Thanks,
MaryL

 

[Celegans]

.. Windows Search is a far
superior product)

I disagree. The new Vista search is flawed -- at least on my machine -- and
needs to be redesigned.



Perhaps I'm in a minority, but Vista search HAS NEVER WORKED for me. I have
shown Microsoft that I can have identical files and Vista can find a string
in some of the files but CANNOT find the same string in identical files. I
can index and re-index (which takes hours) and Vista search still cannot
find all of the identical files.



I want the "Advanced Search" almost all the time, and Vista search makes
getting to that more difficult. The checkbox "Include non-indexed, hidden,
and system-files (might be slow)" doesn't work for me. Why provide an
option that doesn't work?



Being forced to index one's whole filesystem before any search can work may
be what some want, but I have many legacy files, and files from Apple and
Linux environments that Vista refuses to search -- many of these files
should never be indexed, but I may need to search them occasionally.
Microsoft doesn't care (more material for the PC-Apple commercials, I
guess).



The new Vista search for me is a huge disaster. I cannot find many old
files, and Microsoft simply doesn't care. I have seen search work on
another Vista machine, but it has never worked for me on my Vista "Ultimate"
disappointment PC. I am amazed how little curiosity Microsoft has in how
their new Vista search fails, and how little support they give to people
willing to embrace their new products. Soon, I will have spent a YEAR
looking for a way to get Vista search to work. Microsoft management now
blocks my E-mail requests for help, or simply ignores them.



Give me XP or Windows 2000 back so I can find my files again. Until Vista
search is fixed, I have found "Agent Ransack" provides a reliable string
search in Vista. http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/



Vista search is fast and sometimes works well. But it does not always
return all results, and you never know when you can trust its results. So
what good is it?



Overall I have liked Vista, but what good is it when I cannot find my old
files? What good is Vista if Microsoft won't support it? Thank you NOT to
Microsoft's VP Jim Sullivan for NOT helping get Vista's search to work, or
giving me permission to downgrade to XP and be productive again. Microsoft
only wants more money. They don't care if you can't be productive with
their new products.

 

[John]

I disagree. The new Vista search is flawed -- at least on my machine -- and
needs to be redesigned.

Nice little two-word solution : Agent Ransack.

JD