How to replace the integrated Windows search

Hi there

I'm getting completely tired of the default search function within W7. Too simplified and not so reliable as MS pretends. Gonna find specific data easily in XP while W7 displays 'nothing found' Very disturbing for the more advanced user.

After running and testing Windows 7 Ultimate for two months I want to change several OS-functionalities.

First, how to replace the integrated Windows search?
Since I deinstalled the Windows Search completely, no program has longer linked to the search:-command. How can a third-party tool like SearchMyFiles be nested within Windows 7? So when I hit [Windows]+F then SearchMyFiles will be launched"?

What I also want to achieve is:
- to re-store the good old XP-based search;
- a search workaround which only will start searching by e.g. hitting enter (and not immediate while typing text);
- preserve the (real 'as is') shell folder structure while and after searching (instead of breadcrumb paths).

Opportunitor said:

How can a third-party tool like SearchMyFiles be nested within Windows 7? So when I hit [Windows]+F then SearchMyFiles will be launched"?

If SearchMyFiles has an .exe, you can launch it using Ctrl+Alt+F according to this:
Create keyboard shortcuts to open programs -- Not sure but maybe that can be reconfigured to support the Windows key instead. Otherwise, here's an app that binds programs to Windows key + whatever: qliner hotkeys - The keyboard is back... -- Hopefully it works in Windows 7.

Opportunitor said:

- a search workaround which only will start searching by e.g. hitting enter (and not immediate while typing text)

See my post here: Disable automatic search start (as you type) ?

Please let me know if any of this helps!

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

Opportunitor said:

Hi there

I'm getting completely tired of the default search function within W7. Too simplified and not so reliable as MS pretends. Gonna find specific data easily in XP while W7 displays 'nothing found' Very disturbing for the more advanced user.

After running and testing Windows 7 Ultimate for two months I want to change several OS-functionalities.

First, how to replace the integrated Windows search?
Since I deinstalled the Windows Search completely, no program has longer linked to the search:-command. How can a third-party tool like SearchMyFiles be nested within Windows 7? So when I hit [Windows]+F then SearchMyFiles will be launched"?

What I also want to achieve is:
- to re-store the good old XP-based search;
- a search workaround which only will start searching by e.g. hitting enter (and not immediate while typing text);
- preserve the (real 'as is') shell folder structure while and after searching (instead of breadcrumb paths).

Hey there, Why don't you simply go Control Panel=>Installed Programs=>(up on your left)=>Activate or disable windows fonctionalities.

Then uncheck box "Windows Search" and check box "Indexing"...reboot your Pc, and all search bars in Explorer & Start Menu will disappear.

WalkerA WinTeam said:

(...)
See my post here: Disable automatic search start (as you type) ?

Please let me know if any of this helps!

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

Hi Walker,

Thanks for the Disable Search Suggestion Popups-tip! This works well for me.

BTW: thanks for linking to 77 Windows 7 Tips! Tips&tricks are very nice.

Pickaxe said:

He wants to replace the association for the "search:" protocol. (...)
I think I'll try to manually add it through the registry at some point.

Any idea how to do this - to link some .exe to the "search:"-parameters by registry?

NoN said:

Hey there, Why don't you simply go Control Panel=>Installed Programs=>(up on your left)=>Activate or disable windows fonctionalities.

Then uncheck box "Windows Search" and check box "Indexing"...reboot your Pc, and all search bars in Explorer & Start Menu will disappear.

NoN,

I've tried this one for some days, but it seems it has no added value at this time - until I have found a 'final' workaround...

Opportunitor said:

Thanks for the Disable Search Suggestion Popups-tip! This works well for me.

BTW: thanks for linking to 77 Windows 7 Tips! Tips&tricks are very nice.

Sure, happy to help. I'm afraid changing protocols is a bit beyond my expertise :/ but good luck with it and I'll be curious to know what the solution is, if one exists.

Please let me know if I can help again in the future.

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

Opportunitor said:

NoN said:

Hey there, Why don't you simply go Control Panel=>Installed Programs=>(up on your left)=>Activate or disable windows fonctionalities.

Then uncheck box "Windows Search" and check box "Indexing"...reboot your Pc, and all search bars in Explorer & Start Menu will disappear.

NoN,

I've tried this one for some days, but it seems it has no added value at this time - until I have found a 'final' workaround...

Did you find a workaround?? I'm also interrested by, because first i've the computer, i'd disabled Windows search and allow the old indexing system...

I've put it back few days ago to see if it was changed whatsoever...but when the search run, it is SO long and is encountering 58% cpu ressoures...during all the time it searchs.

So i might disable it again.