replicate the Win7 Start Menu Search box

ksdixon

Member
Member
Messages
217
Win7StartMenuSearchBox, Win8CopyMenu, Win8StartScreen

Has anyone found a way to replicate the Win7 Start Menu Search box (where it lists files, control panel options and programs together)?
I don't really need the Start Menu, just to change the behaviour of the Start Screen's search, or to add the Win7 Search Box to the taskbar or something.

EDIT: Also, has anyone found a way to import Win8's awesome ''multiple file copy/delete'' dialog box backwards to Win7? I love how all the different copys that you're doing expand downwards into one 'copy window' and it's all in Windows Explorer UI. I hate being back on Win7 and having to deal with loads of copy windows, manually arranging them next to each other so I can see how far along they all are.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Has anyone found a way to replicate the Win7 Start Menu Search box (where it lists files, control panel options and programs together)?
I don't really need the Start Menu, just to change the behaviour of the Start Screen's search, or to add the Win7 Search Box to the taskbar or something.

EDIT: Also, has anyone found a way to import Win8's awesome ''multiple file copy/delete'' dialog box backwards to Win7? I love how all the different copys that you're doing expand downwards into one 'copy window' and it's all in Windows Explorer UI. I hate being back on Win7 and having to deal with loads of copy windows, manually arranging them next to each other so I can see how far along they all are.

I' don't know about the search yet. But the explorer in Win7.... there is something to try out:
Better Explorer called Better Explorer. Maybe I' ll test this in a VM, is still beta but it looks good.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
So I've stumbled accross 'ex7forW8_1.0', which allows us to use win7's explorer in win8 - complete with the start menu and thus the start menu's awesome search box. This is great, as that magical search box which grouped files, control panel settings, and software programs together in it's results was sorely missed. As an additional bonus, Ribbon Disabler v2 can be run alongside ex7forW8 to toggle the win8 ribbon on top of explorer windows back on, working alongside the start menu if you want both features.

Wouldn't you know it I get exactly what I wanted and I'm still not happy? It appears that I have grown to love the Start Screen for everything except the loss of my beloved Win7StartMenuSearchBox. And with ex7forw8 removing metro/the start screen, I am now searching for a way to run ex7forw8 in order to get the Win7StartMenuSearchBox, but still have access to the Start Screen as well - as I now prefer to open it with my items pinned on it in rather than cluttering up my desktop/taskbar/startmenu with pinned items. Maybe by re-activating the hot corners or how ClassicShell does it (regular win key for classicshell start menu, win key plus cntrl for start screen etc.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Has anyone found a way to replicate the Win7 Start Menu Search box (where it lists files, control panel options and programs together)?
I don't really need the Start Menu, just to change the behaviour of the Start Screen's search, or to add the Win7 Search Box to the taskbar or something.

EDIT: Also, has anyone found a way to import Win8's awesome ''multiple file copy/delete'' dialog box backwards to Win7? I love how all the different copys that you're doing expand downwards into one 'copy window' and it's all in Windows Explorer UI. I hate being back on Win7 and having to deal with loads of copy windows, manually arranging them next to each other so I can see how far along they all are.

I' don't know about the search yet. But the explorer in Win7.... there is something to try out:
Better Explorer called Better Explorer. Maybe I' ll test this in a VM, is still beta but it looks good.

Thanks. I've tried Better Explorer, QDir, Xplorer2 but none of them were really what I was looking for.
I probably won't find something like I'm looking for (aping the win8 copy menu on win7) as it was built from the ground-up for win8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
lilsting10▬ how about pinning File Explorer to your taskbar? Whenver you need Search box just open it, click on computer & type away in the right corner.
just my 1½¢ (adjusted for inflation)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
Back
Top