How do I get the old file search back in XP?

May 25, 2005 9:42 AM

After having to restore to an old version of the registry, my search window in XP now looks like this instead of the default view I'm used to (i.e., with the animated characters, etc.). How do I get the old search back?
posted by dustinAFN to computers & internet (13 comments total)

Close search, then open it again. Click in the menu where it says Change Preferences, and then click the first option.
posted by iconomy at 9:54 AM on May 25, 2005

If iconomy's suggestion doesn't work, download and install TweakUI, and then (under the Explorer section) uncheck "Use Classic Search in Explorer". You might have to close your folder windows and open them again.
posted by Bezbozhnik at 10:16 AM on May 25, 2005

I don't seem to find a menu that says Change Preferences, could you elaborate on where I would find this? Thanks!
posted by dustinAFN at 10:17 AM on May 25, 2005

Thanks for the TweakUI suggestion, however, the Use Classic Search option was already unchecked. Checking and unchecking it had no effect, even after I closed all folder windows and tried again.
posted by dustinAFN at 10:25 AM on May 25, 2005

Are you kidding? This is what I'd love to turn on as the default in XP. Thank you for this question!
posted by odinsdream at 10:27 AM on May 25, 2005

dustinAFN wrote "I don't seem to find a menu that says Change Preferences, could you elaborate on where I would find this? Thanks!"

It's part of the menu that pops up on the lower right side of your page when you first open Search, dustin. I know your Search doesn't look like this right now, but you should have a menu sort of like this (without the cute dog :).
posted by iconomy at 10:31 AM on May 25, 2005

Lower left side.
posted by iconomy at 10:31 AM on May 25, 2005

There is no preferences menu on my search view, unfortunately. Only the search options listing shown in the earlier screenshot (date/type/size) and the option to search for computers or people. Gosh, I miss that dog. :)
posted by dustinAFN at 10:41 AM on May 25, 2005

Weird! What happens when you click on the option (on your menu) that says Advanced Options?
posted by iconomy at 10:49 AM on May 25, 2005

It only gives options for searching system/hidden folders, subfolders, and tape backups. And that's it. :(
posted by dustinAFN at 10:51 AM on May 25, 2005

This help?
posted by WCityMike at 11:46 AM on May 25, 2005

I think you meant to link to this.
posted by iconomy at 11:56 AM on May 25, 2005

Unfortunately not, I had already tried adding that registry key (both yes and no values) and it didn't help. I think I am just stuck with this boring classic search. Thanks for trying though.
posted by dustinAFN at 12:01 PM on May 25, 2005