can't find search button

My OS is Windows 7 Home Premium.I haven't used the Search Burton that you generally find when clicking the Start button since I have an application that I've had for years that works just as well. However, today I decided to use it, but it's not there. I click on Start but can't find it. I put on the Run command which usually isn't there by default. So I tried doing it the same way to put the Search button there. I've tried everything but I still can't find it. Would appreciate some advice.
Thanks. ~Frank~

Brink, That was some very interesting information from the link that you provided! I tried it and it worked. It gave me two pieces of information. In addition to the information on how to add the Search button, I didn't know that if you hit the Windows + F, it would bring up the search box. But I did replace the Help and Support with the Search button anyway. Then since I found out that by pressing the Windows Key + F, would give me the same results as using the Search button, I did Option Two and put back the default Help and Support Button. Thanks again. I can now tell my wife that I am smarter today than I was yesterday.