Search Context Menu Item - Restore After Vista SP1

INFO: When you install the Vista SP1, it removes Search from the Context (right click) menu of the Start menu button and Folders. This will show you how to restore the Search context menu item with the Vista SP1 still installed. For more information on what the SP1 changes, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB941946 and Windows Vista Blog: Experiencing Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta

NOTE: The Search button on the right dark side in the Start menu has also been removed by the Vista SP1. This will show you how to restore it: How to Restore the Start Menu Button after Installing the Vista SP1

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Open and Change Search Options in Vista

2. How to Use Advanced Search Options in Vista

3. How to Enable or Disable Search Index in Vista

4. How to Use the Indexing Options in Vista

5. How to Use the Find Window to Find Text on a Page

6. How to Change the Internet Explorer 7 Search Box Settings in Vista

7. How to Create a Search Desktop Shortcut on Vista

8. How to Expand the Context (Shortcuts) Menu in Vista

9. How to Customize the Context Menu for the Start Menu in Vista

10. How to Customize the Send To Context Menu in Vista

11. How to Customize the Recycle Bin Context Menu in Vista

12. How to Add Encrypt and Decrypt to the Context Menu in Vista

13. How to Add and Remove a New Menu Item in Vista

14. How to Add Take Ownership to the Context Menu in Vista

15. How to Add Flip 3D to the Context Menu in Vista

16. How to Restore or Remove New from the Context Menu in Vista

17. How to Enable or Disable the Context Menu in Vista

18. How to Remove or Show Drive Letters in the Vista Send To Context Menu

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


EXAMPLE: Start Button Context Menu with SP1 and Restored

Start_menu_SP1_installed.jpgStart_menu_Restored.jpg

EXAMPLE: Folder Context Menu with SP1 and Restored

Folder_SP1_installed.jpgFolder_Restored.jpg

EXAMPLE: Drive Context Menu with SP1 and Restored

Drive_SP1_Installed.jpgDrive_Restored.jpg


OPTION ONE:
Through a Download:

1. To Remove the Search Context Menu Item -
A) Remove_ContextMenu_Search.reg < Click To Download

2. To Restore the Search Context Menu Item -
A) Restore_ContextMenu_Search.reg < Click To Download

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click Merge.
5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.
6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. You may need to Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.
8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).


OPTION TWO:
The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click the Continue button for the UAC prompt.

FOR FILES AND FOLDERS -
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\find

REG.jpg

5. To Restore the Search Context Menu Item -
A) In the right pane, right click on LegacyDisable and click Delete. (See screenshot above)
B) Click Yes to confirm deletion. (See screenshot below)

Yes_Confirm.jpg

C) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)
D) Go to step 7.

REG_After.jpg

6. To Remove the Search Context Menu Item -
A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click New and String Value. (See screenshot above)
B) Type LegacyDisable and press Enter. (See screenshot below step 4)

FOR DRIVES -
7. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\find

Reg2.jpg

8. To Restore the Search Context Menu Item -
A) In the right pane, right click on LegacyDisable and click Delete. (See screenshot above)
B) Click Yes to confirm deletion. (See screenshot below)

Yes_Confirm.jpg

C) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)
D) Go to step 10.

Reg2_After.jpg

9. To Remove the Search Context Menu Item -
A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click New and String Value. (See screenshot above)
B) Type LegacyDisable and press Enter. (See screenshot below step 4)

10. Close regedit.
11. You may need to Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.


That's it,
Shawn