Add Search Internet link to Windows 7 Start Menu

The search for programs and files feature on the Start Menu of Windows 7 gives you a direct way to search for programs, files and emails on your computer. Once you get accustomed to this method, I am pretty sure that this text field will become your default search tool. However, unlike Windows Vista you cannot include an Internet search by default, but you can enable this functionality through Group Policy.

  1. To configure this policy for Windows 7 computer, open the Local Group Policy Editor snap-in by typing gpedit.msc in the Start search text box and press enter.
  2. Go to Local Computer Policy\User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Start Menu and Taskbar node.
  3. Double click Add Search Internet link to Start Menu and check the Enabled radio button.
  4. Click Apply and OK.

Note, when you enable this policy, a “Search the Internet” link is shown when the user performs a search in the start menu search box. This button launches the default browser with the search terms.

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