Windows Search - Turn On or Off

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    Windows Search - Turn On or Off

    Windows Search - Turn On or Off

    How to Turn Search On or Off in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Turn Search On or Off in Windows 7

       Information
    This will show you how to turn Windows Search on or off to add or remove the search box in the Start Menu and Windows Explorer in Windows 7.

    Windows Search is turned on by default in Windows 7. You should only turn off Windows Search if you don’t use it.
       Note
    Turning off Windows Search removes it from Windows 7, but doesn't reduce the amount of hard disk space used by Windows 7. Windows Search will remain stored on your hard disk, so you can turn it back on if you want to.
       Warning
    If you turn off Windows Search:


    See also: What happens if I turn off Windows Search?
    • All the search boxes in Windows 7 will disappear, including the search boxes in Windows Explorer, Start menu, Control Panel, and Libraries.
    • Programs that rely on Windows Search might not function properly.
    • Internet Explorer will no longer have enhanced search capabilities.
    • Tablet PC handwriting recognition won't work.
    • Windows Media Center won't have enhanced search capability.
    • You'll no longer be able to arrange your library views by metadata, and your column headers will only sort items, not stack or group them.
    • All Windows Search features will be removed, including Indexing Options in the Control Panel, and the Search tab in Folder Options.
    • Windows will no longer recognize these search-based file types: search-ms, searchconnector-ms, and osdx.
    • Pressing Windows Key+F to open a search window will give you this error.

    Windows Search - Turn On or Off-winkey-f.jpg

    EXAMPLE: Folder Options with Search Turned On or Off
    Windows Search - Turn On or Off-search_default_folder_options.jpgWindows Search - Turn On or Off-search_removed_folder_options.jpg
    EXAMPLE: Windows Explorer with Search Turned On or Off
    Windows Search - Turn On or Off-search_default_windows_explorer.jpg

    Windows Search - Turn On or Off-search_removed_windows_explorer.jpg
    EXAMPLE: Start Menu with Search Turned On or Off
    Windows Search - Turn On or Off-search_default_start_menu.jpgWindows Search - Turn On or Off-search_removed_start_menu.jpg
    Here's How:
    1. Open Windows Features.
    Windows Search - Turn On or Off-step1.jpg
    2. To Turn On Windows Search
    A) Check the Windows Search box, and click on OK. (See screenshot above)

    B) Go to step 4.
    3. To Turn Off Windows Search
    A) Uncheck the Windows Search box. (See screenshot below step 1)

    B) Click on Yes. (See screenshot below)
    Windows Search - Turn On or Off-step2.jpg
    C) Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 1)
    4. Click on Restart Now. (See screenshot below)
    WARNING: This will restart the computer immediately. Be sure to save and close anything you have open or running first.
    Windows Search - Turn On or Off-step3.jpg
    That's it,
    Shawn


    Related Tutorials






  2. myzr7
    Posts : 1,797
    Windows 7 Ulti. x64
       New #1

    Brink
    Saw this on your twitter. Thought it would be a reg tweek that I needed to download. Da! Feature of course. Simple. Thanks!
      My Computer
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  4. Brink
    Posts : 72,431
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #2

    LOL, you're welcome Larry. :)
      My Computer
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  5. Gary
    Posts : 1,397
    Win 10 Pro 64
       New #3

    What is the benefit of removing search?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. Brink
    Posts : 72,431
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Hello GTX,

    The tutorial is mostly for folks to be able to restore Search if it was to go missing, but I suppose that if you had other users, it would be helpful to prevent them from doing searches as well.
      My Computer
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  7. Gary
    Posts : 1,397
    Win 10 Pro 64
       New #5

    Thanks for the reply.
      My Computer
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  8. Brink
    Posts : 72,431
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    You're welcome GTX. :)
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  10. ddark21
    Posts : 1
    Windows 7
       New #7

    I can´t turn on WIndows Search


    Hi, i try to turn on Windows Search, but when is actualizing it stops and a dialog box with error apears: some features were not changed correctly. And nothing happens.

    Can some one help me?

    Thanks!!!
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  11. Brink
    Posts : 72,431
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    Hello Ddark, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    You might see if running a sfc /scannow command may help let you afterwards. If not, then doing a repair install should fix it for you without losing anything.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  12. Pablo24k
    Posts : 12
    Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Build 7232
       New #9

    Does turning windows 7 search off then back on reset search properties?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 
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