Start Menu - Add Search Internet Link

How to Add Search Internet Link to Windows 7 Start Menu Search Box

   Information
This will show you how to add a Search the Internet link to the Windows 7 Start Menu.
   Note
When you type something in the Start Menu search line and click on the Search the Internet link, it will search the internet by opening your default web browser and using the default search engine (ex: Google).

EXAMPLE: Start Menu with Search the Internet link
2008-11-17_233355.jpg






OPTION ONE

Using a REG File Download


1. To Add Search Internet Link to Start Menu
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Add_Start_Menu_Search_Internet.zip

Download


B) Go to step 3.
2. To Remove Search Internet Link from Start Menu
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Remove_Start_Menu_Search_Internet.zip

Download


3. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.

4. Open the .zip file and extract the .reg file to the desktop.

5. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

6. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg and .zip files if you like.

8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.






OPTION TWO

Through the Local Group Policy Editor


1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates and Start Menu and Taskbar. (See screenshot below)
Group_Policy.jpg
3. In the right pane, right click on Add Search Internet Link to Start Menu and click on Edit. (See screenshot above)

4. To Add Search Internet Link to Start Menu
A) Dot Enabled and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Properties.jpg
B) Go to step 6.
5. To Remove Search Internet Link from Start Menu
A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
B) Go to step 6.
6. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.


 

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Last edited by a moderator:
Excellent, keep up the good work Mr. GRiM.

One thing I miss from right-clicking the orb, "Open All Users".

Off to some digging for info on that.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Alienware® ALX X58
OS
Win 7 Ult SP1/Win 10 Pro (all x64)
CPU
Intel® Core™ i7-975 Extreme O/C to 4.02 GHz, 8MB Cache
Motherboard
Asus® P6T Deluxe V2 X58 LGA1366
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Onboard Soundmax® High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio
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Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce™ 3.0 Video Cooling
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Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
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Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
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Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
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1Gb/s
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McAfee LiveSafe
Browser
Firefox - latest
Other Info
Using non-RAID on purpose as I find RAID to be too temperamental.
Now set to AHCI
how do I change the default windows search provider

if I search through explorer it goes to bing. I turned off internet explorer, so I'm only using Firefox
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP DV9033CL
OS
Windows 7 Professional 32 Bit
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2 GB
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nVidia GeForce Go 7600
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Conexant HD Audio Board
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ex brit, would love to hear what you find on the open all users. I't s possible to find it by right-clicking on All Programs and then hitting all users, but I want to be able to do it from the little Start Menu Orb.

The internet search in the tab is nice!
Might want to mention it's only available in Windows 7 PRO, ENTERPRISE, OR ULTIMATE though. I really wish they would just release two versions. Student, and Regular. Gah Microsoft and their silly antics.
I found out about the version compatibility here.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
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