Remove Search link from Start Menu

Supported OS tags: WindowsServer2003, WindowsXP

This policy setting allows you to remove the Search link from the Start menu, and disables some File Explorer search elements. Note that this does not remove the search box from the new style Start menu. If you enable this policy setting, the Search item is removed from the Start menu and from the context menu that appears when you right-click the Start menu. Also, the system does not respond when users press the Application key (the key with the Windows logo)+ F. Note: Enabling this policy setting also prevents the user from using the F3 key. In File Explorer, the Search item still appears on the Standard buttons toolbar, but the system does not respond when the user presses Ctrl+F. Also, Search does not appear in the context menu when you right-click an icon representing a drive or a folder. This policy setting affects the specified user interface elements only. It does not affect Internet Explorer and does not prevent the user from using other methods to search. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the Search link is available from the Start menu.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• User
  Add "Run in Separate Memory Space" check box to Run dialog box

  At least Windows 2000
• User
  Add Logoff to the Start Menu

  Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000
• User
  Add Search Internet link to Start Menu

  Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7
• User
  Add the Run command to the Start Menu

  Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Vista
• User
  Change Start Menu power button

  Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7
• User
  Clear history of recently opened documents on exit

  At least Windows 2000
• User
  Clear the recent programs list for new users

  Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows 10