Search is Missing (Restricted) – Start Menu

October 16, 2007 17 Comments

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.
Search Missing – Start Menu
Search – Start Menu
Search Option Missing – Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
Search Option – Taskbar and Start Menu Properties

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

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.

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

    User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

  5. Double-click Remove Search menu from Start Menu.
  6. 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

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Navigate to:

    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  5. Right-click NoFind to select Modify.
  6. Change the value to 0.
  7. Navigate to:

    HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  8. Right-click NoFind to select Modify.
  9. Change the value to 0.
  10. 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

  1. Open a Command Window.
  2. Type:

    REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoFind     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Type:

    REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoFind     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  6. 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

  1. Download SearchStrtMnu.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
  2. Right-click SearchStrtMnu.Allow.reg to select Merge.
  3. 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
Related Articles

Version 1.1
Edited: May 11, 2012

Filed under Windows XP, Windows XP Fixes Tagged with , , , , ,

Run Command is Missing (Restricted) – Start Menu

September 24, 2007 19 Comments

Windows XP Run Command icon 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 Run menu from Start Menu will cause the Run Command icon 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, Run Command icon 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 Run Command icon is missing from the Start Menu and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.
Run Command Restricted
Run Command Missing – Start Menu
Run Command – Start Menu
Run Command Option Missing – Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
Run Command Option – Taskbar and Start Menu Properties

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

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.

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

    User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

  5. Double-click Remove Run menu from Start Menu.
  6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the Run Command icon 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

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Navigate to:

    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  5. Right-click NoRun to select Modify.
  6. Change the value to 0.
  7. Navigate to:

    HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  8. Right-click NoRun to select Modify.
  9. Change the value to 0.
  10. 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

  1. Open a Command Window.
  2. Type:

    REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoRun     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Type:

    REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoRun     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  6. 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

  1. Download RunStrtMnu.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
  2. Right-click RunStrtMnu.Allow.reg to select Merge.
  3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The RunStrtMnu.Allow.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com). You also can view the contents of the RunStrtMnu.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
Related Articles

Version 1.2
Edited: May 11, 2012

Filed under Windows XP, Windows XP Fixes Tagged with , , , , ,

Shutdown Icon is Missing (Restricted) – Start Menu

September 23, 2007 18 Comments

Windows XP Turn Off Computer icon is missing from the Start Menu. 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 and prevent access to the Shut Down command will cause the Logoff button 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, Turn Off Computer icon 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 Turn Off Computer icon is missing from the Start Menu and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.
Shutdown Missing – Start Menu
Shutdown – Start Menu

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

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.

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

    User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

  5. Double-click Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down command.
  6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the Turn Off Computer icon 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

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Navigate to:

    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  5. Right-click NoClose to select Modify.
  6. Change the value to 0.
  7. Navigate to:

    HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  8. Right-click NoClose to select Modify.
  9. Change the value to 0.
  10. 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

  1. Open a Command Window.
  2. Type:

    REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoClose     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Type:

    REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoClose     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  6. 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

  1. Download StrtMnuShtdwn.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
  2. Right-click StrtMnuShtdwn.Allow.reg to select Merge.
  3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The StrtMnuShtdwn.Allow.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com). You also can view the contents of the StrtMnuShtdwn.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
Related Articles

Version 1.3
Edited: May 11, 2012

Filed under Windows XP, Windows XP Fixes Tagged with , , , , ,

Logoff Icon is Missing (Restricted) – Start Menu

September 23, 2007 15 Comments

Windows XP Logoff icon is missing from the Start Menu. 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 Logoff on the Start Menu will cause the Logoff button 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, Logoff icon 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 Logoff icon is missing from the Start Menu and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.
Logoff Missing – Start Menu
Logoff – Start Menu

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

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.

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

    User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
  5. Double-click Remove Logoff on the Start Menu.
  6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the Logoff icon 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

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Navigate to:

    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  5. Right-click NoStartMenuLogOff to select Modify.
  6. Change the value to 0.
  7. Navigate to:

    HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  8. Right-click NoStartMenuLogOff to select Modify.
  9. Change the value to 0.
  10. 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

  1. Open a Command Window.
  2. Type:

    REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoStartMenuLogOff     /t REG_DWORD /d 0
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Type:

    REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoStartMenuLogOff     /t REG_DWORD /d 0
  5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  6. 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

  1. Download StrtMnuLgff.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
  2. Right-click StrtMnuLgff.Allow.reg to select Merge.
  3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The StrtMnuLgff.Allow.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com). You also can view the contents of the StrtMnuLgff.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
Related Articles

Version 1.3
Edited: May 11, 2012

Filed under Windows XP, Windows XP Fixes Tagged with , , , , ,

Drag and Drop / Context Menus Restricted – Start Menu

September 22, 2007 15 Comments

Windows XP Drag and Drop / Context Menus are restricted for the Start Menu and the option is missing when customizing the Start Menu using the Taskbar and Start Menu applet located 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 Drag-and-drop context menus on the Start Menu will disable (restrict) dragging and dropping plus context menus for the Start Menu if enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Drag and Drop / Context Menus can be disabled (restricted) from the Start Menu by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the Drag and Drop / Context Menus is disabled (restricted) for the Start Menu and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.
Drag and Drop / Context Menu – Start Menu
Drag and Drop / Context Menu Options Missing – Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
Drag and Drop / Context Menu Options – Taskbar and Start Menu Properties

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

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.

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

    User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

  5. Double-click Remove Drag-and-drop context menus on the Start Menu.
  6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the Drag and Drop / Context Menus are disabled (restricted) for 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

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Navigate to:

    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  5. Right-click NoChangeStartMenu to select Modify.
  6. Change the value to 0.
  7. Navigate to:

    HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  8. Right-click NoChangeStartMenu to select Modify.
  9. Change the value to 0.
  10. 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

  1. Open a Command Window.
  2. Type:

    REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoChangeStartMenu/t REG_DWORD /d 0

  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Type:

    REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoChangeStartMenu     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  6. 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

  1. Download DrgDrpCntxtMnu.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
  2. Right-click DrgDrpCntxtMnu.Allow.reg to select Merge.
  3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The DrgDrpCntxtMnu.Allow.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com). You also can view the contents of the DrgDrpCntxtMnu.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
Related Articles

Version 1.4
Edited: May 10, 2012

Filed under Windows XP, Windows XP Fixes Tagged with , , , , , ,

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