Search Dialog changed.

I am using XP Pro, SP2, and I just noticed that my search dialog has changed. When I used to search on "My Computer" I was asked for what I wanted to search for and now it automatically goes to into a file/folder search dialog. This dialog used to have an advanced button bur now it does not. Any Ideas??

 

OLDSALTY--Not 100% sure I understand the situation.
In the Search window, when you click View|Explorer bar, which option is checked? If not "Search" try checking that and see if you get what you want.
If that does not help, you could go here
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
run an Edit|Find for "Search" and see if any of the offerings might help.

Regardless, you should be able to change "My Computer" into whatever alternative you want from the right arrow|drop down menu.

 

Start - right click on My Computer - click on search on the drop down menu. I go directlly to File/Folder search. This never happened before.

 

Does it look like one of the two thumbnails I've attached to this post? If so, which one?

 

No, it looks like this, see attached. the reason I want the old version back is so I can enter the 'other search options'

 

Perhaps you've used tweakui's "explorer" category and have the options checked that enable Classic Search. Should be two, one for Explorer and one for IE. Uncheck if checked.

 

I do not have tweakui.

 

Hi Ron,

Can't help you with this particular problem, stopped using windows search utility a long time ago.

Here is a free search utility that is a lot better than the "dog" http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/

Regards - Charles

 

OLDSALTY--Your image looks like Zander's image on the right to me. I agree this is different than what I see on my PC (Zander's image on the left). What happens if you click Start|Search?
I see one difference between Zander's two images (and between your image and Zander's on the right) that may help find a solution. In the left panel above the area where you enter the info for which you want to search, your window says "Search" (with an X to the right). Zander's image on the left says "Search Companion" as does my Search window.
Have you looked in Windows Help?
Among other things I find the following
"To search for a file or folder
Click Start, and then click Search.
Click All files and folders.
Important

If you do not see All files and folders, you have probably changed your default search behavior.

Click Change preferences.
Click Change files and folders search behavior.
Click Standard, and then click OK.
Click All files and folders.
Type part or all of the name of the file or folder, or type a word or phrase that is in the file.
If you do not know either piece of information or want to narrow your search further, select one or more of the remaining options:
In Look in, click the drive, folder, or network you want to search.
Click When was it modified? to look for files that were created or modified on or between specific dates.
Click What size is it? to look for files of a specific size.
Click More advanced options to specify additional search criteria.
Click Search. "


P.S. If you want to try TweakUI (useful for many tweaks) go here
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

 

Thanks Jim, et el! That is what I wanted. Yes Zanders graphic to the right is what I go to first. I am OK now.

 

Wow Jim,
You have the eyes of a hawk and logic/thinking skills to aspire for. I was thrown a bit by this problem having used any number of tweaks to modify my search defaults including Kelly's and Tweakui's just to name a couple. I've long sense forgotten what the original design and procedures would have been. I'm glad you stepped in to offer assistance. Thank's.

To OLDSALTY,
I'm happy to see all is well and this "problem for you" and "puzzle for myself" can be put behind us. Phew...

 

OLDSALTY--Thanks for posting back. Always good to hear that a suggestion helped.
goddez1--Just trying to keep up with your record of good suggestions.

 

Glad you got it the way you want it. I probably shouldn't have left you hanging with just the pics and no answer but I was in a hurry at the time (my boy had a baseball game) and thought it would help get the ball rolling. I figured once I knew what you were looking at I could give you an answer if nobody else chimed in first. As usual, the board comes through though.

Ann and Jim
Thanks for helping out. It's always appreciated.

 

Now that you have it the way you like it, consider giving AgentRansack a try, as charlesvar suggested and linked. You'll wonder what took you so long to discover a completely free search tool that's many times better and faster than the XP version.

 

Ahhh Suferdude2,
You know that it doesnt really matter if he never uses windows search again in his life. It was the challenge of knowing something wasn't working the way it did and figuring out why. That little search problem was a red horned gremlin, cackling away and all the while singing nah nahnah nah nah! It needed to be squashed just for the satisfaction and peace of mind.

 

How right you are Ann!

 

I understand how you and Ron feel about things like this, I usually have the same attitude, but with XP's search, simply not worth it. MS really did create a "dog" with this one.

Regards - Charles