Vista - Search Desktop Shortcut

**Brink** · **OPTION ONE:**

How to Create a Search Desktop Shortcut on Vista

Information

This will show you how to create a desktop shortcut for Search. When you click on the shortcut, it will open the Search window.

NOTE

When the Vista SP1 is installed, it will remove Search from the Start Menu and other places. For more details on this, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB941946

Tip

If you wanted to restore the Search button in the right dark side if the Start menu afte installing the Vista SP1, then see: How to Restore the Start Menu Button after Installing the Vista SP1
You can pin this shortcut to the Start menu to make it closer to where it was before SP1 was installed. For how, see: How to Pin a Program to the Start Menu in Vista
You can also add or move the shortcut to Quick Launch to make it easier to use. See: How to Use Quick Launch in Vista

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Search window
NOTE:
A) You will still have to click on the Advanced Search drop down arrow though.

B) You can also open this window by pressing the Windows + F keys.

OPTION ONE:
Download the Shortcut

1. Click on the download button below to download the Search.zip file.

2. Click Save and save it to the Desktop.

3. Right click on the Search.zip file (on desktop) and click on Open.

4. Click on Allow in the UAC prompt.

5. Extract the Search shortcut to the desktop.

6. Place the shortcut where you like to use it at.

7. When done, you can delete the Search.zip file (on desktop) if you want to.

OPTION TWO:
The Manual Way

1. Press the Windows + F keys to open the Search window.

2. Left click and hold on the magnifying glass (boxed in red) and drag it to a empty space on the desktop and release the left mouse button to drop it. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This will create a search shortcut on the desktop.

3. Right click on the new search shortcut on the desktop and click Rename, then type in Search (for example) and press Enter.
NOTE: You can name it anything you would like.

4. Right click on the renamed Search shortcut and click on Properties.

5. Click on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: The original icon given can only be sized up to Medium to be displayed properly. This will allow you to select a icon that can be sized to any size and display properly. For more on how to change a shortcut folder or file icon, see: How to Change a Shortcut Folder or File Icon in Vista

6. Click on Browse and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll. (See screenshot below)

7. Click on the icon highlighted in blue below.
NOTE: If you have your own icon you would rather use, then just navigate to where you have it saved. Vista needs a 256 bit icon for the best viewing results.

8. Click on OK.

9. Click OK to apply. (See screenshot below step 5)

10. Place or copy the new Search shortcut to wherever you like it to be for easy use.

That's it,
Shawn

**mistrmac** · 03-25-2008

There is an easier way to add a search shortcut to desktop. Open search with the window key + F. Left click on "Search Results" in the address bar and drag to the desktop. Click on "Create Shortcut Here" and you're done.

**Brink** · 03-25-2008

Thank you mistrmac. That is alot easier to do. It should be on the magnifying glass though and not "Search Results". The tutorial has been updated for this.

Thank you again,
Shawn

**Dzomlija** · 03-25-2008

Is there any way of restoring the "Search" icon back to the right-side of the start menu (which was removed by Microsoft in SP1 thanks to those babies at Google)?

**Brink** · 03-25-2008

Peter,

Lawrence says that his WinBubble program as a option in it to do so. You might try it to see. However, it only works on the 32 bit Vista for now.

http://www.vistax64.com/software/110...ta-easily.html

Shawn

03-25-2008
mistrmac Vista Ultimate 32bit 1 posts	Re: Search Desktop Shortcut There is an easier way to add a search shortcut to desktop. Open search with the window key + F. Left click on "Search Results" in the address bar and drag to the desktop. Click on "Create Shortcut Here" and you're done.
My System Specs

03-25-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Search Desktop Shortcut Thank you mistrmac. That is alot easier to do. It should be on the magnifying glass though and not "Search Results". The tutorial has been updated for this. Thank you again, Shawn
My System Specs

03-25-2008
Dzomlija Windows Vista x64 Ultimate 2,217 posts	Re: Search Desktop Shortcut Is there any way of restoring the "Search" icon back to the right-side of the start menu (which was removed by Microsoft in SP1 thanks to those babies at Google)?
My System Specs

03-25-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Search Desktop Shortcut Peter, Lawrence says that his WinBubble program as a option in it to do so. You might try it to see. However, it only works on the 32 bit Vista for now. http://www.vistax64.com/software/110...ta-easily.html Shawn
My System Specs

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