Windows XP Search link is missing from the Start Menu and is also missing when you try to customize the Start Menu using the Taskbar and Start Menu applet in the Control Panel. The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user accounts settings. The Group Policy for Remove Search menu from Start Menu will cause the Search link to be restricted/disabled (removed) from Start Menu when enabled.
Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Search link can be removed from the Start Menu by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the Search link is missing from the Start Menu and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.
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Search Missing – Start Menu
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Search – Start Menu
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Search Option Missing – Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
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Search Option – Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
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NOTE
Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.
Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor
NOTE
The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy restriction.
- Click Start and then Run.
- Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
- Press ENTER on your keyboard.
- In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
- Double-click Remove Search menu from Start Menu.
- Select Not Configured.
NOTE
If the Search link is restricted/disabled (missing) from the Start Menu on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.
Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry
- Click Start and then Run.
- Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
- Press ENTER on your keyboard.
- Navigate to:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- Right-click NoFind to select Modify.
- Change the value to 0.
- Navigate to:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- Right-click NoFind to select Modify.
- Change the value to 0.
- Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
NOTE
You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.
Manual Steps Using REG ADD
- Open a Command Window.
- Type:
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoFind /t REG_DWORD /d 0
- Press ENTER on your keyboard.
- Type:
REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoFind /t REG_DWORD /d 0
- Press ENTER on your keyboard.
- Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.
NOTE
You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.
Automated Fix Using an Registration File
- Download SearchStrtMnu.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
- Right-click SearchStrtMnu.Allow.reg to select Merge.
- Now the registration entries are added for you.
NOTES
The SearchStrtMnu.Allow.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com). You also can view the contents of the SearchStrtMnu.Allow.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.
Platforms Tested
- Microsoft Windows XP Editions
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Version 1.1
Edited: May 11, 2012
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