Remove Search link from Start Menu

Removes the Search link from the Start menu, and disables some Windows Explorer search elements. Note that this does not remove the search box from the new style Start menu.

This setting removes the Search item from the Start menu and from the context menu that appears when you right-click the Start menu. Also, the system does not respond when users press the Application key (the key with the Windows logo)+ F.

In Windows Explorer, the Search item still appears on the Standard buttons toolbar, but the system does not respond when the user presses Ctrl+F. Also, Search does not appear in the context menu when you right-click an icon representing a drive or a folder.

This setting affects the specified user interface elements only. It does not affect Internet Explorer and does not prevent the user from using other methods to search.

Note:

This setting also prevents the user from using the F3 key.

Supported on: Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP only

Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry PathSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Value NameNoFind
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Enabled Value1
Disabled Value0

startmenu.admx

Administrative Templates (Computers)

Administrative Templates (Users)