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Vista - Search Desktop Shortcut

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Search Desktop Shortcut

How to Create a Search Desktop Shortcut on Vista
Published by Brink
02-02-2008

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
 
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.
search.jpg



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.
win_f.jpg
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
properties.jpg
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.
Name:  Change_Icon.jpg
Views: 5993
Size:  64.0 KB
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

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Applies to
All Vista Versions
64 Bit & 32 Bit

Old 03-25-2008  
mistrmac


Vista Ultimate 32bit
 
 

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 SpecsSystem Spec
Old 03-25-2008  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

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 SpecsSystem Spec
Old 03-25-2008  
Dzomlija


Windows Vista x64 Ultimate
 
 

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 SpecsSystem Spec
Old 03-25-2008  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

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 SpecsSystem Spec
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