Start-Menu

[Richardc269]

I'm pretty new at using Windows 7 (roughly 2 months), I've installed a program called "Classic Start-Menu" to make my start menu look like classic one. However, there is one thing that it didn't get rid of: The "search" function in the start menu. I have absolutely NO need nor want of this ludicrous item, and I do NOT use it!

I can use the Windows key on the key board to open the Start-Menu, but if I try and hit the P key to open the Programs list, the stupid Search box has the typing symbol in it whenever the Start-Menu opens, and I absolutely hate it. How do I get rid of this useless item from the start-menu?

 

[tea]

Perhaps you could turn it off under "Turn Windows Features On/Off" in the control panel. I'm not 100% sure though.

Edit: Here is great resource:


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/25343-windows-search-turn-off.html

 

[Richardc269]

Uhhh...I think that's a little too many negatives to turn that feature off. I just want the search box in the start menu gone. Not everything else. If that resource just turned off the search box in the start menu, I'd do it. Anything else?

 

[Jonathan_King]

Try this: How do you remove the Search box from Windows 7 Start Menu?

 

[Richardc269]

lol Same thing as first guy, but oh well. If it's the only way to get rid of the box, I'll do it. Thanks.

 

[Ivo]

Since you are using a 3rd-party application in place of the start menu, your best bet is to contact the developer of that app and ask how to remove the search. I don't expect people here to know how to do this, particularly since you don't mention which application you are using

If you simply need a classic start menu with no search box, I suggest you try my software Classic Shell: http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

P.S. I want to stress this - the search you see in this 3rd-party app IS NOT the same search from the Windows 7 menu. So any advice how to remove the Windows 7 search will most likely not work for the app that you have installed.

 

[Richardc269]

I'll check it out, thanks. The software I installed is called "Classic Start Menu". When its running, it has a dark green icon with a white check in the icon.

I installed yours and uninstalled the other one. Yours looks pretty cool. Thanks!

 

[rixto003]

cool stuff Ivo... does it have options to choose witch customizations want or does it apply all? (just want to make sure since my box is kinda overcustomized and i wanna do it more-more-more until it blows so i would get a new one finally )

 

[Ivo]

It is most likely the one by ordinarysoft. I haven't played with this start menu for a long time, but from what I rememeber there is a tray icon to access the settings. If there is an option to turn off the search, it will be there.
You can also send a message to the author from here:
http://www.classicstartmenu.com/contact.php

 

[Lordbob75]

Richard, have you perhaps tried using the search bar?

When I made the switch to Vista (a year or so after it came out) I was in the same boat; I hate that stupid search bar.
Then I realized that you can search for programs from there, and instead of taking 15 or 20 seconds to navigate all the folders (especially if you don't remember where it is) I can just hit the windows key and type in the name and hit enter.
So starting iTunes for instance, it is just Win key, iTunes, enter and it starts!

I ask that you at least try using it for a little while. You may find you like it.
You may still decide you don't like it as well, and in that case, we can keep trying to figure out how to remove it.

I have to say, I have never heard of this being possible, so you may be disappointed.

~Lordbob

 

[whs]

The Start/Search is one of the most useful functions in Win7 and Vista. Why would anybody want to get rid of it - just curious.

 

[Ivo]

cool stuff Ivo... does it have options to choose witch customizations want or does it apply all? (just want to make sure since my box is kinda overcustomized and i wanna do it more-more-more until it blows so i would get a new one finally )

Yes, pretty much everything can be turned off. If you have any more questions please post them in the Source Forge forums or in this thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/72519-ann-new-classic-shell-versions-1-0-3-1-9-0-a.html
I don't want to hijack this thread to talk about Classic Shell.

 

[Kari]

The Start/Search is one of the most useful functions in Win7 and Vista. Why would anybody want to get rid of it - just curious.

+1

I would be lost without Search.

 

[Richardc269]

Richard, have you perhaps tried using the search bar?

When I made the switch to Vista (a year or so after it came out) I was in the same boat; I hate that stupid search bar.
Then I realized that you can search for programs from there, and instead of taking 15 or 20 seconds to navigate all the folders (especially if you don't remember where it is) I can just hit the windows key and type in the name and hit enter.
So starting iTunes for instance, it is just Win key, iTunes, enter and it starts!

I ask that you at least try using it for a little while. You may find you like it.
You may still decide you don't like it as well, and in that case, we can keep trying to figure out how to remove it.

I have to say, I have never heard of this being possible, so you may be disappointed.

~Lordbob

i installed Ivo's start menu (classic looking start menu), and no more search box. I don't like the search box because I prefer using the keyboard's shortcuts to go through the start menu. I'm fairly quick with the shortcuts anyway. It takes me less than 10 seconds to go through the start menu with either the mouse or the keyboard. Plus that search box always had "priority" with the typing icon flashing in it, which I didn't like either.

I also didn't like XP's, Vistas or Windows 7's start menu because it has so much crap on it, that I don't want all that crap cluttering up my start menu. I just wanted a single column with the Programs List, My Computer, and a few programs at the top. Everything else I just found annoying and unneeded.

Also, speaking of customizing: Is there a way I can do a "quicklaunch" like in XP and 98 with the small icons? (like minimizing all my windows at once and looking at the desktop, instead of right clicking on the bar at the bottom and clicking "show desktop").

Another thing that effects it all is I have "High Functioning Autism", which means I like having easy access to things, or having little routines that make things easier to do. Which is why I prefer the keyboard shortcuts in the start menu because I find it faster.

 

[Ivo]

Here's how you add quicklaunch: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/888-quick-launch-enable-disable.html
One thing I noticed is that often it goes away after a restart. Fortunately it takes me just a few seconds to restore it when it disapears, so it's not that big a deal. I hope they fix it in the service pack though.

 

[Lordbob75]

Yup:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/888-quick-launch-enable-disable.html

I LOVE the QL toolbar. I hate pinning.

That makes sense richard, thanks for telling us why. Most people just complain.

If this helps, you can hit the win key, then press the up arrow to highlight All Programs. Will that work for you?

~Lordbob

 

[Richardc269]

Yup:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/888-quick-launch-enable-disable.html

I LOVE the QL toolbar. I hate pinning.

That makes sense richard, thanks for telling us why. Most people just complain.

If this helps, you can hit the win key, then press the up arrow to highlight All Programs. Will that work for you?

~Lordbob

Nah, classic start menu works pretty well for me. I just prefer the old style Windows 98. I started using computers 17 years ago (I was 10), Windows 3.11 (and DOS) was what I started with, then started using Windows 95/98, and the look and use of them just stuck with me, and I prefer it, in all honesty. It's easy to use, I can get to the menu's quicker, and my start menu isn't cluttered with other menus I prefer not having on it. I'm pretty picky when it comes to that. And I also prefer having My Computer on my desktop, too.

Thanks for the Quicklaunch thing.

Edit: And I also have a password for my account logon into Windows 7, so it doesn't just login when it starts up. Hoping it'll stay there, lol.