Search box automatically opens

In every browser I use--Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer--the same problem presents: I start typing and 2-3 characters in I automatically type in the search box. Additionally, my Windows search folder will periodically open on it's own and for the next minute or so rapidly flash as if I was re-opening it (won't allow me to close the folder at this point). This problem has been going on for months, but the browser search started before the windows search folder.

I've tried rebooting my computer, running virus checks, system registry checks...nothing seems to fix the problem. I'm hoping someone on here knows what's wrong before I do a last resort of a factory reset and/or zeroing out the hard drive.

I have the same problem and it's very annoying. Any help will do!

System Repair Disk and Disk Check did not help. There's no infections on my computer. I'm convinced this problem can be solved without doing a Repair Install or a Clean Reinstall. Please help.

OVER 2 yrs later and I just encountered this nutty thing. out of the blue . Plus I have and consistently use the above linked malware spyware seekers and killers plus have the paid for tune up utility with windows defender and paid for (through ISP free suite at my bundle level) resource hog but ok McAfee .
i also to root kit killers by Kaspersky and McAfee Stinger routinely
I dont know what i did to enable the short cut auto run find or search in any typeable area, only first time. after i hit 'esc' it stops , till next start up of my chrome, fox fire or IE all up to date.
any single key stroke will begin the letter search and popped up find or quick find bar and highlights every single letter or couple of letters in the page up in the tab. annoying at most but my first sight had me going, was on a long wordy page , plus i have "autoPage" so 3 pages were scrolling up and down automatically with green flashes of highlighted found letters. kept 'finding next'
seemed like some quirky malware trojan put in by some devious child mind . i am not able to locate whatever it is.
i have very large hands and a very sticky , by design, logitech 705 keyboard and have lots of over shots on the 'alt" "control" , 'shift' keys with another key . i know i did an 'fKey and ctl or alt , too. just before this happened only i was angry at the sticky keys and no idea which ones i did. disabled the keyboard short cuts in outlook, i tried to disable the accessibility key stroke things i could locate but i never had or used any of those, totally unfamiliar with it all
since no one seems to visit this any longer, i am pissing into the wind for sure
but, just in case someone else has this in march 2015, you are not alone
john

It sounds like nearly the same as my problem.
Its probably a keyboard hardware problem.
Try replacing the keyboard. These type of things
are usually keyboard problems.
Mine.. The search box kept opening everytime i pressed the windows key
and filling up with an infinite number of 'p' s. Very annoying