Changing Back To Search Companion In Windows
Nov 28th, 2008 by kenopoly
I just wanted to take a moment and write a blog that may help others and also will serve as a reference to myself, if needed!
Recently, I upgraded to Microsoft Office 2007 and with that came the Windows Desktop Search Agent. I have been enjoying the new Microsoft Office, after finally getting used to the new layouts. However, I can’t stand the Windows Search! I would much rather use the old Search Companion and have searched for a way to switch back to that. I have found that way and would like to share it with you all.
First off, let me just put a little disclaimer here. This involves working with the Registry in Windows and if you aren’t comfortable doing this then perhaps you should look elsewhere. I have become quite comfortable with working in the Registry through the years. The best piece of advice is to make a backup copy of your registry before dabbling therein. 
So, here is what you need to do:
Go to Start
Go to Run
Type in regedit
When the Registry Editor comes up go to this path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Desktop Search\DS
When you get to the folder “DS”, double-click on the entry “ShowStartSearchBand” and then change the value from “1″ to “0″.
Voila! That’s it! You should now be able to go back to the old Search Companion and have a way of searching the current contents of your folder.
The reason for my displeasure with Windows Search was because it was an indexed search. If the folder you are wanting to search has not been indexed you have no choice but to click on the Search Companion link on the bottom. Even if it has been indexed, how long has it been since it was indexed? It’s just not a very good search agent.
I hope this is helpful to someone. I know it has been very nice to return to my old way of searching.
Here’s hoping everyone has a wonderful holiday season.
I found this article to be hopefully helpful. What version of Windows did you have before the update. I have windows 2000 and when microsoft did an automatic update they wiped out all of my email and my documents. Do you think that your work with the registry would also work for me.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
I’ve never had problems w/ the LATEST Windows Desktop search 4.0.
It indexes when cpu time has become idle so it doesn’t intrude.. it’s very well -behaved.
If you have a NEW location, you just tell WDS to search that location.. no search engine is a mind reader. This one will search other locations like your outlook inbox.
These are your top resources for wds
Tech Resources
Windows Search 4.0 Administrator’s Guide
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/library/f98696ed-6e3e-47b7-ab38-511439bce7ae1033.mspx?mfr=true
Windows Search 4.0 Troubleshooting Guide
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/library/84c1c305-baaa-4352-b55a-45daaebf18df1033.mspx?mfr=true
Help and support page
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940157
Forum
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=127&SiteID=1
WDS is strategic to Microsoft and other apps like flicker.. WDS INTERGRATES with other programs.. if you don’t use wds, you won’t be able to take advantage of searching functions embedded into other programs that were written for wds. No big deal right now, maybe a big deal in future.
bite the bullet, do your reading and you will see that wds is so much more then the old search.
To Doug:
I appreciate your comment. I know that there is probably a great advantage to Windows Desktop Search but I really don’t have the time to learn it right now!
I’ll eventually take the time to check out the links you posted but with all the overtime I have been working I just want to be able to find something quickly without having to relearn how to use a search engine!