How To Search The Internet Right From Windows 7 Start Menu

Unlike Windows XP and Vista, Windows 7 comes with a hidden but disabled feature that allows you search the Internet right from your Start menu search field.

 Windows 7 Start menu search

Once this feature is enabled, you just need to type the search word (keyword) in the Start menu search field and then click Search the Internet option to see the search results in your default browser. First you need to enable this feature by following one of the methods given below.

Using Local Group Policy Editor

(for Professional, Enterprise & Ultimate editions)

1.  Type gpedit.msc in the Start menu search box and hit enter to open Local Group Policy Editor.

search internet from start menu in windows 7search internet from start menu in windows 7

2. In the left pane, navigate to User Configuration, Administrative Templates and finally Start Menu and Taskbar.

search internet from start menu in windows 7 image 1search internet from start menu in windows 7 image 1

3. In the right-pane, double-click the first setting named Add Search Internet link to Start Menu and set the status to Enabled.

add search internet link to start menu in windows 7add search internet link to start menu in windows 7

4. Click Ok and close the Local Group Policy Editor. You are done!

5. From now onwards when type a keyword in the start menu search field you will see Search the Internet option with your default browser’s icon. Simply hit Search the Internet option to get the required result in your primary browser.

 Search the internet from start menuSearch the internet from start menu

Method 2: Via Windows Registry (For all editions)

1. Download the registry tweak.

2. Double-click on the Enable Search entry, click Yes and then Ok.

 search internet from start menu via registrysearch internet from start menu via registry

search internet from start menu via registry editorsearch internet from start menu via registry editor

3. Reboot your PC. You are done! You can now start search the Internet from your Start menu.

Note: To change the default search engine (Google, Bing or Yahoo!) simple change the default search engine in your primary web browser.

You might also like to know how to search your files and folders right from the Start menu in Windows 7.

Thanks to winsupersite