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Tweak Windows XP Search Interface

We search for files and folders in our computers using Windows search all the time but do you know that you can configure windows search interface the way you like it? You can change the animated character, turn it off or change the Windows XP search to the faster Windows 2000 search interface.

To change the dog character in Windows XP search

1. Click Start > Search then double click on the animated character.
2. Click "Choose a different animated character".
3. Click the Back and Next buttons to change the animated characters and click Ok.

If you want to get rid of the animated character completely then double click on it and choose "Turn off the animated character".

If you do not want to be asked every time you want to search for files "What do you want to search for?" then Click "Change preferences" > "Change files and folders search behavior" and choose: "Advanced - includes options to...".

If you want to change the Windows XP search interface to the windows 2000 search interface

1. Open the registry editor by clicking on Start > Run, type "regedit" and click Ok.
2. Navigate to:
   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState]
3. On the right pane, double click on "Use Search Asst" and change its value data to "no".
4. If you want the default Windows XP search interface back then simply change the value to "yes".

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4 Comments

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wreight Said,

Wed, 15 August 2007 07:10am (GMT)

i dont have "Use Search Asst" in [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState] I only have fullbath, fullbath aadress and settings in there

TutorialsRoom Said,

Thu, 16 August 2007 06:02am (GMT)

Try making a new string value (Right click the right pane, click New > String Value) Name it "Use Search Asst" and set the value to no.

Nick Said,

Thu, 30 August 2007 13:35pm (GMT)

Double click on the search dog or whatever it is you have and disable the assistant. You can also customize search preferences to use the advanced interface

Jim Said,

Wed, 14 January 2009 13:59pm (GMT)

I want to have a line in the "look in" box that specifies two drives (C:\ and F:\)

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