Microsoft

Add Internet Search to the Windows 7 Start Menu

By // June 16, 2010, 5:29 AM PST // markwkaelin

Image 1 of 5

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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.

Related Topics:

Microsoft Enterprise Software Software Collaboration Mobility Cloud Hardware

By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT 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, and TechRepublic.