Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • Developer
  • 5G
  • Security
  • Cloud
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Tech & Work
  • Mobility
  • Big Data
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • CES
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • Developer
  • 5G
  • Security
  • Cloud
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Tech & Work
  • Mobility
  • Big Data
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • CES
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
Microsoft

Add Internet Search to the Windows 7 Start Menu

By Mark W. Kaelin June 16, 2010, 3:25 AM PDT

Image
1
of 5

435223.png
435223.png
Add Internet Search to the Windows 7 Start Menu

No Internet Search by default

No Internet Search by default

One of the features I like most about Microsoft Windows 7 is the ability to search for applications from the Start Menu search box. Rather than navigating through a long list of menus, you can just type the name of the application into the search box and immediately get a list matching what you are typing.

However, there is at least one thing missing from the search the Desktop technique – the ability to search the Internet directly from your Desktop. But you can change that if you have a version of Windows 7 that incorporates the Group Policy Editor. The versions of Windows 7 that support the Group Policy Editor include:

  • Professional
  • Ultimate, and
  • Enterprise

If you have Starter or Home Premium, you will not be able to take advantage of this tip.

Adding Internet Search
Under the default settings, the Start Menu has no option to search the Internet.

This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download.

Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

Add Internet Search to the Windows 7 Start Menu

Open gpedit.msc

Open gpedit.msc

To add the option to search the Internet you have to run the Group Policy Editor. The easiest way to do that is by typing gpedit.msc into the search box. Note: you may have to type the whole file name to see it in the search results.

Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

Add Internet Search to the Windows 7 Start Menu

Double-click the Add Search Internet link to Start Menu entry

Double-click the Add Search Internet link to Start Menu entry

When you get to the Local Policy Group Editor window, navigate to this folder:
User configuration/Administrative Templates/Start Menu and Taskbar

Double-click the Add Search Internet link to Start Menu entry to get to the proper configuration screen.

Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

Add Internet Search to the Windows 7 Start Menu

Click Enable

Click Enable

On the Add Search Internet link to Start Menu configuration screen, click the Enable radio button and then click Apply and OK.

Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

Add Internet Search to the Windows 7 Start Menu

Internet Search is now an option

Internet Search is now an option

Now, the next time you conduct a search from the Start Menu you will have the option of apply those search terms to your default search engine in Internet Explorer.

Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Microsoft
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Add Internet Search to the Windows 7 Start Menu

    Your email has been sent

Share: Add Internet Search to the Windows 7 Start Menu
Image of Mark W. Kaelin
By Mark W. Kaelin
Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the information technology industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net,
  • Account Information

    Contact Mark W. Kaelin

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Mark W.'s content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Choosing a payroll service: A guide for business leaders

    For businesses, hiring a service to handle all of the necessary payroll calculation, processing, and documentation saves valuable time and resources better spent on running the business. This guide explains the features you should look for in a payroll service and provides a framework you can use when comparing potential services. From the guide: Regardless ...

    Downloads
    Published:  January 29, 2023, 11:00 AM EST Modified:  January 30, 2023, 2:00 PM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    System monitoring policy

    This policy defines what systems and services to monitor, establishes how they will be monitored, and determines how support staff will be notified of problems that require escalation or remediation. From the policy: SUMMARY Maximum uptime is often a priority goal for company systems and services in today’s 24/7 year-round society. With that objective in ...

    Published:  January 29, 2023, 11:00 AM EST Modified:  January 30, 2023, 5:00 PM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Glossary of useful LVM and related commands

    LVM, or Logical Volume Manager, is a feature in Linux which allows on-the-fly management of disk volumes and filesystems. Much more reliable than traditional pre-LVM methods of disk partitioning and formatting, LVM is flexible and can quickly aid in displaying disk and volume information as well as adding, changing or removing disks. With this glossary ...

    Downloads
    Published:  January 29, 2023, 11:00 AM EST Modified:  January 30, 2023, 1:00 PM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Hardware inventory policy

    This policy describes guidelines your organization can follow to track, process and decommission IT equipment. From the policy: SUMMARY An organization’s IT hardware inventory constitutes a significant capital investment in order to perform company operations. Because hardware represents a critical asset and often holds organizational data, it is important for the company to track each ...

    Published:  January 23, 2023, 11:00 AM EST Modified:  January 24, 2023, 11:00 AM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice