Search icon/link in Start Menu has disappeared

[pacpalm]

I am running Windows XP Home SP2. On the lower right side of the pop-up start menu there is normally a magnifying glass (icon) next to the word "search" in between links for "help and support" and "run".
My "search" icon (and thus my link) in my start menu has disappeared and I have no idea how to restore it.
This search icon/link appears, though, at the top of and on the left-hand side of the window that opens when I click "my computer/hard drive letter". It functions just fine.
But, as I've said, it is hidden from view on my start menu.
Would anyone know of a solution to this unexpected problem?
Many thanks.

[AmberJain]

I am running Windows XP Home SP2. On the lower right side of the pop-up start menu there is normally a magnifying glass (icon) next to the word "search" in between links for "help and support" and "run".
My "search" icon (and thus my link) in my start menu has disappeared and I have no idea how to restore it.
This search icon/link appears, though, at the top of and on the left-hand side of the window that opens when I click "my computer/hard drive letter". It functions just fine.
But, as I've said, it is hidden from view on my start menu.
Would anyone know of a solution to this unexpected problem?
Many thanks.

_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
Follow the steps below to restore the "search" option in start menu----->

1. Right click [start] menu button and click properties. A window with the title "Taskbar and start menu properties" opens up.

2. Click on the [start menu] tab above the window.

3. Click on [customize] buttton in the window.
--------------NOTE~ You can click any customize button out of the two buttons in the window.

4. Click on [advanced] tab.

5. In the panel titled [Start menu items:], scroll down to find an option as [search]. Select the check box next to it.

6. Click on [OK] and then on [Apply].
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HOPE THIS HELPS.......... ........

[pacpalm]

Thank you for taking the time to send a reply to my problem.
Alas, your suggestion doesn't work.
Why? Because under the Advanced Tab and taskbar setup options, there is no entry for "search". I had known about this method of adding or deleting icons from the start menu but when this problem developed, I looked but never found the "search" option to either check (add) or uncheck (delete)! That, too, if it is to be there, has disappeared! Where do I go from here?
Thanks in advance.

[AmberJain]

Thank you for taking the time to send a reply to my problem.
Alas, your suggestion doesn't work.
Why? Because under the Advanced Tab and taskbar setup options, there is no entry for "search". I had known about this method of adding or deleting icons from the start menu but when this problem developed, I looked but never found the "search" option to either check (add) or uncheck (delete)! That, too, if it is to be there, has disappeared! Where do I go from here?
Thanks in advance.

Don't look into taskbar setup options (as you said in your reply). Just follow EXACTLY once again what I said in my reply #2. You must get the option of adding search option to start menu. Even if you had not unchecked it, it might be done by any malicious file so follow as I said in my reply #2 above.
You can check out the ATTACHED IMAGE below this reply, to see that such an option exist on windows XP home SP2 (the one you are using).
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Remember that if this doesnot solves your problem, I'm searching for any other help I can provide to you. If I find something, I will tell you.

[pacpalm]

Hello again. Thank you once again for your advice.

I have done exactly as you have suggested. In fact, I did that also the first time. In my "start menu items" under "link to connections network folder", I do not have a "search" box (to check) between "scroll programs" and "set program access and defaults". It simply is not there. It has disappeared. And I don't know why.

In previous efforts to solve this problem, I had known of this option and had wondered why the box and the term "search" was missing. It is for this reason that I can not correct my problem by this method. Is there another solution, short of reinstalling XP (which I do not want to do).

Thanks in advance.

[AmberJain]

Hello again. Thank you once again for your advice.

I have done exactly as you have suggested. In fact, I did that also the first time. In my "start menu items" under "link to connections network folder", I do not have a "search" box (to check) between "scroll programs" and "set program access and defaults". It simply is not there. It has disappeared. And I don't know why.

In previous efforts to solve this problem, I had known of this option and had wondered why the box and the term "search" was missing. It is for this reason that I can not correct my problem by this method. Is there another solution, short of reinstalling XP (which I do not want to do).

Thanks in advance.

Don't lose hope........... .
Well I'm searching for a registry trick to do what you want. If I find something I will tell you.
[IMG]ambrnewlearner[/IMG]

[AmberJain]

Do following exactly--------->

1. Click on [start]---->[run].

2. Type "regedit" (without quotes) and press enter.

3. In the left pane click on------->
[HKEY_CURRENT_US ER]---->[Software]---->[Microsoft]----->[Windows]-----> [CurrentVersion]----->[Explorer]---->[Advanced].

4. Now search for a DWORD value in the right pane with name [Start_ShowSearc h].

5. Right click this DWORD value and click [modify]. Type value data as 1 (in the window that opens titled "Edit DWORD Value") and click on OK.

*************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *
NOTE-------------------------------------->
If DWORD value with name [Start_ShowSearc h] doesnot exist, then you will need to create one by right clicking anywhere (except in places where there are keys) in right pane of regedit and click on [New]---->[DWORD Value]. Type the name as Start_ShowSearc h. Then do as in step 5 above.
*************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *

6. Press F5 (to refresh the regedit).

7. Exit and restart your computer.

You will find search option in start menu now.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
If your problem remains unsolved, do tell me. I will then tell you more ways to do the same thing.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
HOPE THIS HELPS.......... ............... ............... .

[art4167]

Hi
My windows xp search function disappear too. Not only shortcut but
[windows button] + [F] also doesn't work. Now i already modify as all the upper reply said but it does't work too. Do you have another solution for this problem?

If my contents are look as impolite please forgive me, my English is not strong.

Thank you very much.

[AmberJain]

Try this....this will most probably (I'm 99% sure) solve your problem....

1. Open "Group Policy editor" i.e.
Goto [start]--->[run]. Type gpedit.msc and then press enter (or return)

2. Scroll down to following location (in left pane in window that opens) to configure Start menu features:

User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Start Menu and Taskbar

3. Find an entry in the right pane with name---"Remove search menu from start menu". Right click this entry and click on [properties].

5. In the window that opens select the radio button next to "Not configured" option. Click on [apply] and then on [OK].

6. Exit "Group Policy Editor" and check out start menu for [search] option.
This will also enable [windows logo key]+F3 shortcut.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
If you still have problem, do tell me.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
HOPE THIS HELPS.......... ....
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____

[art4167]

Thank you very much for your help.

About your solution No. 5, My computer currently set as "not configured".

5. In the window that opens select the radio button next to "Not configured" option. Click on [apply] and then on [OK].

for your information
I remember I found that my search function was disappear after I installed Kaspersky Anti-virus V6 but i'm not sure, it's because of anti-virus or virus those I infected or not.

[pacpalm]

Still can not restore the search function in start menu

Do following exactly--------->

1. Click on [start]---->[run].

2. Type "regedit" (without quotes) and press enter.

3. In the left pane click on------->
[HKEY_CURRENT_US ER]---->[Software]---->[Microsoft]----->[Windows]-----> [CurrentVersion]----->[Explorer]---->[Advanced].

4. Now search for a DWORD value in the right pane with name [Start_ShowSearc h].

5. Right click this DWORD value and click [modify]. Type value data as 1 (in the window that opens titled "Edit DWORD Value") and click on OK.

*************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *
NOTE-------------------------------------->
If DWORD value with name [Start_ShowSearc h] doesnot exist, then you will need to create one by right clicking anywhere (except in places where there are keys) in right pane of regedit and click on [New]---->[DWORD Value]. Type the name as Start_ShowSearc h. Then do as in step 5 above.
*************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *

6. Press F5 (to refresh the regedit).

7. Exit and restart your computer.

You will find search option in start menu now.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
If your problem remains unsolved, do tell me. I will then tell you more ways to do the same thing.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
HOPE THIS HELPS.......... ............... ............... .

Hello again (third time). I tried your solution as you wrote it above. I found Start_ShowSearc h, opened it and found that the DWORD value was already set to 1. There was nothing to change or add. I hit the F5 button, but didn't notice anything happen [except that it activated the function whereby you can choose between multiple monitors]. After a reboot, I checked my Start Menu and discovered (sadly, sigh) no change. I did this several times but had no luck.
I then looked into the solution you provided to another person who has a problem similar to mine. But I couldn't get past "run". The key word "gpedit.msc " wouldn't register. I kept getting an error message that said that it didn't exist.
So, I'm no further along than when I posted my first note. Any ideas?? And thanks for the help. (^_^)

[AmberJain]

Thank you very much for your help.

About your solution No. 5, My computer currently set as "not configured".



for your information
I remember I found that my search function was disappear after I installed Kaspersky Anti-virus V6 but i'm not sure, it's because of anti-virus or virus those I infected or not.

_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
NOTE : This message is different from my last reply (although they seem to be astonishingly similar). Notice carefully that some changes are made in this reply.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
Well, I don't think this problem is a result of installing Kaspersky AV V6 as one of my friend (using same Anti virus) doesnot faces this problem.
Try using this------>

1. Open "Group Policy editor" i.e.
Goto [start]--->[run]. Type gpedit.msc and then press enter (or return)

2. Scroll down to following location (in left pane in window that opens) to configure Start menu features:

User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Start Menu and Taskbar

3. Find an entry in the right pane with name---"Remove search menu from start menu". Right click this entry and click on [properties].
*************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *************** **
5. In the window that opens select the radio button next to "Disabled" option. Click on [apply] and then on [OK].
*************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *************** **
6. Exit "Group Policy Editor" and check out start menu for [search] option.
This will also enable [windows logo key]+F3 shortcut.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _____ _______________
If you still have problem, do tell me.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _____ _______________
HOPE THIS HELPS.......... ....
_______________ _______________ _______________ _____ _______________

[AmberJain]

Hello again (third time). I tried your solution as you wrote it above. I found Start_ShowSearc h, opened it and found that the DWORD value was already set to 1. There was nothing to change or add. I hit the F5 button, but didn't notice anything happen [except that it activated the function whereby you can choose between multiple monitors]. After a reboot, I checked my Start Menu and discovered (sadly, sigh) no change. I did this several times but had no luck.
I then looked into the solution you provided to another person who has a problem similar to mine. But I couldn't get past "run". The key word "gpedit.msc " wouldn't register. I kept getting an error message that said that it didn't exist.
So, I'm no further along than when I posted my first note. Any ideas?? And thanks for the help. (^_^)

To open Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), follow these steps------>
1. Goto [run] in start menu and type :-

C:\WINDOWS\syst em32\gpedit.msc

and click on "OK". (Replace C: here with the drive name on which Windows XP is installed)

This will open gpedit.msc. Then follow steps as in my reply #12 above.
*************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *
If still gpedit.msc doesnot opens, open it manually by clicking on:
[My Computer]----->C: (NOTE : The drive on which windows is installed) ----->Windows----->system32
Search gpedit.msc in this folder and double click it to open it and then follow as in my reply#12 above.

If you still face the problem, do tell me.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
HOPE THIS HELPS.......... ............... ....

[pacpalm]

To open Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), follow these steps------>
1. Goto [run] in start menu and type :-

C:\WINDOWS\syst em32\gpedit.msc

and click on "OK". (Replace C: here with the drive name on which Windows XP is installed)

This will open gpedit.msc. Then follow steps as in my reply #12 above.
*************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *************** *
If still gpedit.msc does not open, open it manually by clicking on:
[My Computer]----->C: (NOTE : The drive on which windows is installed) ----->Windows----->system32
Search gpedit.msc in this folder and double click it to open it and then follow as in my reply#12 above.

If you still face the problem, do tell me.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
HOPE THIS HELPS.......... ............... ....

Hello (again) to ambrnewlearner,

I'm sorry to report that your latest suggestion did not work. I did a search of my hard drive (C) and I do not have the file <gpedit.msc> on my computer. I do not know why I do not have the file. Am I supposed to have it??

So, I can not implement your suggestion.
What do you think I should do now??

Thanks for your continued interest.

[AmberJain]

Hello (again) to ambrnewlearner,

I'm sorry to report that your latest suggestion did not work. I did a search of my hard drive (C) and I do not have the file <gpedit.msc> on my computer. I do not know why I do not have the file. Am I supposed to have it??

So, I can not implement your suggestion.
What do you think I should do now??

Thanks for your continued interest.

_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
The utility gpedit.msc is only available in the Windows XP Professional
Edition. It is not available on XP home editions. The reson for it is below :

"Gpedit.msc " is a Group Policy Editor to define user and computer
configurations for groups of users and computers. Because Windows XP Home
Edition is not designed to enter a domain, some domain related utilities
(for example: Gpedit.msc) are also not included in the Windows XP Home
Edition.

So (PROBABLY) you are using XP home. Now DON't LOSE HOPE......

Try the following utility (Windows XP Security Console) fromDoug Knox (link below):

LINK

Now that is what you are left with (PROBABLY). So download the utility found at above link and work with it to get your start option back in start menu.

If you face problem using the utility mentioned above, do tell me. I will help you in that matter.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _____
HOPE THIS HELPS.......... ........