Windows 7: Search bar in Explore missing (its enabled in features)

The search box is gone from windows explore (not IE) and the startmenu. Researched the issue. Already checked to seach if the search field was enabled in control panel>turn on/off features. Tried turning it off and on then restarting.
Running the ultimate edition. Don't have any past restore points to go back to. I just installed windows 7, my drivers, and my normal software. This is a fresh install with this missing search bar.

I don't have the search bar in Internet Explore disabled with some kind of hack.
I restored default settings in 'folder options' in control panel.

I want to avoid having to reformat . The search feature was working fine. Could i have installed something that is not compatible or conflicting and causing this issue?

I had the search bar for 8 days.

Is your toolbar locked? Sometimes they slide around and get lost behind something else. Try unlocking it and sliding your other menubar elements around.

Windows Explorer Address and Search Bar - Change Size

I dont get a right click menu if i click anywhere around or near the windows addressbar that give me a lock option. theirs no drag scroll option the right end of the address bar. It would let me resized the address bar when i put the cursor at the end.

I was able to unlock the toolbar. but if i try in move the menu bar over the address bar or move anything it doesn't move and the search bar does not appear.

I noticed that the option to toggle the seach bar is gone in the when i click on Organize> Layout> 'search bar' is not their. In other people's post about this problem. that was their issue having it unchecked.

Any ideas?

In my application tune up utilities 2007 it sais windows desktop search is not install.

So if it was somehow uninstalled how do i reinstall it?

I have this problem too

Hello Snoozin and Tadas,

Since Windows Search is checked in Windows Features, then you might try a repair install instead and not lose anything.

Hope this helps,
Shawn