Disabling Windows Search

[IanC]

Is it possible to disable Windows Search without uninstalling it? If I go to
uninstall, I am prompted that just about everything I've installed/updated
since installing Windows Search may not work properly and that's not a risk
I'm willing to take.

Basically, all I want to do is set Search Companion to be the default for
searching.

Any ideas?

 

[VanguardLH]

Is it possible to disable Windows Search without uninstalling it? If I go to
uninstall, I am prompted that just about everything I've installed/updated
since installing Windows Search may not work properly and that's not a risk
I'm willing to take.

Basically, all I want to do is set Search Companion to be the default for
searching.

If you disable it permanently, what is the point of leaving it
installed? I have yet to see an error message from Microsoft that
actually says "just about everything <whatever>". There are programs
that may make use of Windows Search but whether they become unusable
really depends on what is their function. IE8 will show a lure to
install Windows Search in its drop-down address bar along with an option
under Internet Options -> Content -> Autocomplete settings but that
doesn't disable IE8 (and that nuisance can be eliminated with a registry
edit).

 

[IanC]

If you disable it permanently, what is the point of leaving it
installed? I have yet to see an error message from Microsoft that
actually says "just about everything <whatever>". There are programs
that may make use of Windows Search but whether they become unusable
really depends on what is their function. IE8 will show a lure to
install Windows Search in its drop-down address bar along with an option
under Internet Options -> Content -> Autocomplete settings but that
doesn't disable IE8 (and that nuisance can be eliminated with a registry
edit).

I'd happily uninstall it, if I was sure it won't adversely affect anything
else. When it comes up with a list of everything (including hotfixes)
installed after it and advises that they may not work properly after
uninstalling "if they rely on Windows Search" it certainly gives me pause
for thought. I suspect most (if not all) programs will be unaffected, but
how can I be sure. That's why I was hoping for a workaround, but it looks
like I'll have to take the chance and uninstall.

 

[VanguardLH]

I'd happily uninstall it, if I was sure it won't adversely affect anything
else. When it comes up with a list of everything (including hotfixes)
installed after it and advises that they may not work properly after
uninstalling "if they rely on Windows Search" it certainly gives me pause
for thought. I suspect most (if not all) programs will be unaffected, but
how can I be sure. That's why I was hoping for a workaround, but it looks
like I'll have to take the chance and uninstall.

Never heard of backups? You should ALWAYS do a [partition] image backup
before committing major brain surgery. Always plan an escape (recovery)
path.

 

[IanC]

I'd happily uninstall it, if I was sure it won't adversely affect
anything
else. When it comes up with a list of everything (including hotfixes)
installed after it and advises that they may not work properly after
uninstalling "if they rely on Windows Search" it certainly gives me pause
for thought. I suspect most (if not all) programs will be unaffected, but
how can I be sure. That's why I was hoping for a workaround, but it looks
like I'll have to take the chance and uninstall.

Never heard of backups? You should ALWAYS do a [partition] image backup
before committing major brain surgery. Always plan an escape (recovery)
path.

Backing up is no great problem. It's just the time involved to do this and
the hassle if it all goes pear-shaped that I was hoping to avoid.

Thanks for the advice.