Search Start Menu Button - Restore after SP1

How to Restore the Start Menu Search Button after Installing the Vista SP1​

   Information

When you install the Vista SP1 it will remove the Search button option from the Start menu. This will show you how to restore the Search button on the right dark side of the Start menu after you installed the Vista SP1.

   Note

You will be adding Search button back to the right dark side of the Start menu by replacing either the Help and Support button or Run button with Search. If you prefer to not replace either one of these, then you can create a Search shortcut and Pin it to the left side of the Start menu instead. See: How to Create a Search Desktop Shortcut on Vista

EXAMPLE: Search button in the Start Menu Before and After Installing the Vista SP1

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EXAMPLE: Search option in the Customize Start Menu window after Vista SP1
NOTE: The left screenshot is after installing the Vista SP1. The right screenshot is after you replaced either Run command or Help and Support with Search. This will show you how to enter the Customize Start Menu window: How to Customize the Start Menu in Vista

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OPTION ONE

Replace Help and Support with Search

1. To Replace Help and Support with Search ​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.​

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Replace_Help_with_Search.reg​

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B) Go to step 3.​

2. To Restore Help and Support​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Help.reg​

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3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.​

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4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file, and click on Merge.​

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5. Click on the Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​

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6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.​

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7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

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8. Your Start menu will now look like this. (See screenshot below)​

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OPTION TWO

Replace Run with Search

1. To Replace Run with Search​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.​

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Replace_Run_with_Search.reg​

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B) Go to step 3.​

2. To Restore Run​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Run.reg​

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3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.​

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4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file, and click on Merge.​

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5. Click on the Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​

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6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.​

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7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like​

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8. Your Start menu will now look like this. (See screenshot below)​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Open and Change Search Options in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Search Index in Vista
• How to Use the Indexing Options in Vista
• How to Use the Find Window to Find Text on a Page
• How to Change the Internet Explorer 7 Search Box Settings in Vista
• How to Use Advanced Search Options in Vista
• How to Restore the Search Context Menu Item after Installing the Vista SP1
• How to Create a Search Desktop Shortcut on Vista
• How to Enable or Disable the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Window in Vista
• How to Restore Missing Default Start Menu Shortcuts in Vista
• How to Fix the Games Explorer Link in the Vista Start Menu
• How to Add "Search" to "My Computer" Context Menu in Vista and Windows 7

 

[SPRINGSTEEL]

Just replace the sp1 version of "explorer.exe" with the previous vesion you had before installing sp1 and the search button will be restored without losing any other buttons or modifying the registry.
Log off and back on for the change to take effect.

 

[sidney1st]

Hi Adriana,

Why don't you just put a shortcut in the start menu on the top of the left side
where you have your email application for example, it is simple and uses no trick (i use Winkey+F).

I saw above that you wondered if reg files for en-US versions would cause eventually problems to your dutch version. The answer is no as the registy of all versions are stricly the same, if it was different all apllications should be made different for each language/country
I personally run a french version using en-US / French languages... There is one Vista and many "packs" to fulfil the world demand.

 

[bobkupferer]

My question specified win 7 but all I see is vista?
thanks for your help bobk

 

[Brink]

Hello Bob,

I'm not sure what question you are referring to since you do not have one posted in this thread., and your last post on this site was in March. :huh:

However, for Windows 7 related issues, you should register and post at our sister site Seven Forums instead.