Windows Vista SP1 - the case of the missing Search item

SearchMIA Now that we're starting to open the floodgates to the masses, one thing that will likely become apparent is that there are some subtle user interface changes.  For those of you that like to click the Windows Pearl (also known as the Start button), then click Search, you are in for a little surprise.

As you can see to in the screenshot at right, the Search menu item is missing in action.  Why?

Well, for the gory details, you'll want to review the KB article at https://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/941946 and some of the developer documentation at https://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb776808.aspx.

From the KB, here are some of the changes to the user interface for Windows Vista SP1.

Control Panel

  • The Associate a file type or protocol with a program dialog box lists the search protocol under Protocols.
  • The Set your default programs dialog box lists Windows Search Explorer as a selectable program.
  • The Indexing Options dialog box includes a Pause button. When you click the Pause button, the Windows Search Indexer stops indexing new content for 15 minutes.

Start menu

  • The Search option on the right side of the Start menu is removed.
  • The See All Results option is changed to the Search Everywhere option.
  • The Search Everywhere option passes the search arguments that are typed in the text box to the default search application by using the search protocol syntax

This update also sets many of the general search entry points in Windows Vista to use the new search protocol. The new search protocol calls the default desktop search application. These search entry points include the following:

  • When you press the Windows logo key+F, the default application for the search protocol starts.
  • When you click Start and then press F3, Windows Explorer opens the default application for the search protocol.
  • When you press CTRL+F in Windows Explorer, the default application for the search protocol starts.
  • In Windows Explorer, the Search Everywhere option appears on the toolbar as soon as a search starts. When you click this option, the default application for the search protocol starts.
  • You can no longer right-click the Search option on all containers.