Search - Add to Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8

How to Add "Search" to Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8

information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Search to the context menu of the desktop, My Computer, drives, and folders of all users in Windows 7 or Windows 8.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to add or remove Search, but all users are able to use Search.

Note   Note
When Search opens, you would open or select a folder or drive that you would like to search in, then type what you would like to search for in the Search box.


EXAMPLE: "Search" Context Menu
Search_Context_Menus.jpg


EXAMPLE: Search in Windows 7 and Windows 8
Windows_7_Search.jpg
Windows_8_Search.jpg


Here's How:

1. To Add "Search" to Context Menu
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.​
Add_Search_to_Context_Menu.reg
download

2. To Remove "Search" from Context Menu
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.​
Remove_Search_from_Context_Menu.reg
download

3. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.

4. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

5. Click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Add_Search_to_Context_Menu.reg
    1.9 KB · Views: 3,188
  • Remove_Search_from_Context_Menu.reg
    1.3 KB · Views: 966
  • Search.png
    Search.png
    11.6 KB · Views: 320
Last edited:
hey Shawn, how do I change that `Search..` text in the context menu to something else? for example change search into search this folder, or search here.. etc
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 and server 2012 R2
Hello mx18r2,

The only problem with that is that this only opens to the default blank Search window. It doesn't open to a "search here" or "search this folder" location.

For that, you could use the search box in File Explorer in the opened folder.

If you still want it changed to something else, then please let me know, and I'll post a copy with what you are wanting instead.

Hope this helps. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello mx18r2,

The only problem with that is that this only opens to the default blank Search window. It doesn't open to a "search here" or "search this folder" location.

For that, you could use the search box in File Explorer in the opened folder.

If you still want it changed to something else, then please let me know, and I'll post a copy with what you are wanting instead.

Hope this helps. :)

oh man =( was hoping it would have worked out lol. thats fine I'll stick to this and live with uneven context menu. thanks for the help anyway!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 and server 2012 R2
Well, the context menu can say anything you like, so if you would like to have something else, then I don't mind posting a custom version for you. It would only take a few moments to do, so just let me know if you like. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
to be honest im more interested on how you add that search icon besides the "search.." within context menu. I have had another version of adding search to menu to search folder but it does not have the icon.. weird
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 and server 2012 R2
The Icon line in the .reg file is what adds the icon of your choice. You could edit the .reg file in the tutorial to see more, but here's the basic of it. :)

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\shell\Search]
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-177"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\shell\Search\command]
@="explorer.exe search-ms:"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Back
Top