How to disable Windows Search in Windows explorer

Someone installed Windows Search on my computer and I hate it. I refuse to spend time setting up the indexer. I just want it gone!

How can I remove it and its indexer from my computer, or at least get Windows Explorer to default to using the Search Companion like it used to?

Jeff Leonard

Posted 2009-07-30T21:04:30.443

Reputation: 1 061

I found this to be pretty good after I removed Windows Search. I use http://www.mythicsoft.com/filelocatorlite

– Sun – 2013-11-04T17:15:14.137

– Vadzim – 2014-01-22T07:50:17.883

Answers

You should be able to head over to Add/Remove programs and remove it that way. As Diago mentions below, you may have to show the hidden updates to see it.

The How-To Geek

Posted 2009-07-30T21:04:30.443

Reputation: 5 482

I don't see it in Add/Remove programs – Jeff Leonard – 2009-07-30T21:28:57.093

I assume you are using Windows XP? It would be "Windows Desktop Search 4.0" or something like that. – The How-To Geek – 2009-07-30T21:31:14.623

1In Add/Remove you need to check the box to show updates. It is part of Windows Updates now – BinaryMisfit – 2009-07-30T21:52:19.173

It's located at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows Desktop Search\DS

not HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Desktop Search\DS
as another answer suggested.

CaptainTact

Posted 2009-07-30T21:04:30.443

Reputation: 41

In RegEdit, go to

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Desktop Search\DS

and set ShowStartSearchBand to 0, and you'll get the default search behavior back.

meathere

Posted 2009-07-30T21:04:30.443

Reputation: 51

You can Disable the service.

Go To Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services
Go down to Indexing Service and change the Startup Type to "Disable"

xxl3ww

Posted 2009-07-30T21:04:30.443

Reputation: 1 489

I've already done that, but I want to also figure to how to make the old window search panel show up in Windows Explorer when clicking the search button. – Jeff Leonard – 2009-07-30T21:32:29.347

It's probably seen as a Windows update, you need to look in the list of installed Windows Updates.

ZippyV

Posted 2009-07-30T21:04:30.443

Reputation: 1 557