Vista - Internet Explorer Search Box - Add or Remove

   Information

This will show you how to add or remove the Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) or Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) Search box for all user accounts on the computer.

   Note

This can be helpful if you installed a toolbar (EX: Yahoo's or Google's) that has a search bar with it and you no longer want or need the default IE search box.

   Tip

To change the settings for the IE Search box, see: How to Change the Internet Explorer Search Box Settings in Vista

1. To Add the Internet Explorer Search Box Back

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

ShowSearch.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Remove the Internet Explorer Search Box

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

RemoveSearch.reg

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

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

5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

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

8. Close and re-open IE7 or IE8 to see the change.

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7).

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (See screenshot below)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft

4. To Remove the Internet Explorer Search Box

A) In the left pane, right click on Microsoft and click on New and Key, then type Internet Explorer and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

B) In the left pane, right click on Internet Explorer and click on New and Key, then type Infodelivery and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

C) In the left pane, right click on Infodelivery and click on New and Key, then type Restrictions and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

D) In the right pane of Restrictions, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value, then type NoSearchBox and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

E) Right click on NoSearchBox and click on Modify.

F) Type 1 and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

G) This is what the registry should look like now. (See screeshot below)

H) Go to step 6.

5. To Add the Internet Explorer Search Box Back -

A) In the left pane, right click on Internet Explorer and click Delete. (See screenshot above)

B) Click on Yes to confirm the deletion.

6. Close and re-open IE7 or IE8 to see the change.