How to simplicy Windows XP Search Interface?

[Clueless in Seattle]

I'm new to Windows XP Home.

When I click Start>Search, I have to then choose from a submenu:

For Files or Folders...
On the Internet...
------------------
For People...

When I click on "For Files or Folders" I end up in yet another sub-menu
headed:

"What do you want to search for?"

And so I have to then click on "All files and folders" before I actually
get to the Search utility.

How can I configure Windows XP so that when I click on Start>Search, it
takes me directly to the little box labled: "All or part of the file name:"?

Also, is there a way to just keep the left panel unchanged during the search
and when the search is completed, rather than having to click on the multiple
choice menu that pops up after the search is complete?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm new to Windows XP Home.

When I click Start>Search, I have to then choose from a submenu:

For Files or Folders...
On the Internet...
------------------
For People...

When I click on "For Files or Folders" I end up in yet another
sub-menu headed:

"What do you want to search for?"

And so I have to then click on "All files and folders" before I
actually
get to the Search utility.

How can I configure Windows XP so that when I click on
Start>Search, it takes me directly to the little box labled: "All
or part of the file name:"?

Also, is there a way to just keep the left panel unchanged during
the search and when the search is completed, rather than having to
click on the multiple choice menu that pops up after the search is
complete?

Now is a great time to point you to one of the easiest ways to find
information on problems you may be having and solutions others have found:

Search using Google!
http://www.google.com/
(How-to: http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/basics.html )

What you want...
http://www.petri.co.il/restore_classic_search_in_windows_xp.htm

(And more to make it look/act more like the Windows 2000 you long for.)

TweakUI.

 

[Jim Cladingboel]

I'm new to Windows XP Home.

When I click Start>Search, I have to then choose from a submenu:

For Files or Folders...
On the Internet...
------------------
For People...

When I click on "For Files or Folders" I end up in yet another sub-menu
headed:

"What do you want to search for?"

And so I have to then click on "All files and folders" before I actually
get to the Search utility.

How can I configure Windows XP so that when I click on Start>Search, it
takes me directly to the little box labled: "All or part of the file
name:"?

Also, is there a way to just keep the left panel unchanged during the
search
and when the search is completed, rather than having to click on the
multiple
choice menu that pops up after the search is complete?

If your HDD is formatted NTFS, then look in Google for a freeware
program "Everything". Install it and when you want to find literally
anything in your PC, double click on the icon, in the 'Notification area'
near the time and date, bottom left, and just type the name of the
item you are searching for. It leaves the XP Search for dead!

Good luck, Jim.