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How to reinstate Windows XP Search Companion after you install Windows Desktop Search
Question
Since installing Windows Desktop Search (WDS) v3, when I right click on a folder and then click on Search..., WDS opens. This is hardly ever what I want. The same happens when I click Search from the Start menu. How do I reinstate the Windows XP Search Companion?
Answer
Method 1
Download the file restore_xp_srch.reg from the Attachments section of this article, and save it to the Desktop. Right-click on the restore_xp_srch.reg and choose Merge. Click Yes when asked for confirmation.
Method 2
- Click Start, Run and type:
regsvr32 /u "%programfiles%\Windows Desktop Search\wdsShell.dll"
- Press ENTER.
Attachments
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18 Responses to "How to reinstate Windows XP Search Companion after you install Windows Desktop Search" 
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said this on 26 Apr 2007 5:34:22 PM PST
Thank you so much, much better than Microsoft's support!
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said this on 12 Sep 2007 5:02:08 PM PST
Thanks! The "regsvr32"-solution fixed it for me :)
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said this on 15 Jan 2008 1:40:21 PM PST
Method 1 works great, I had already removed all of the great?? desktop search, so method 2 would not work for me. Thank you very much.
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said this on 27 Jan 2008 3:58:15 PM PST
These methods are two aggressive and affect WDS functionality. A better method will be to set the vaule of HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Desktop Search\DS\ShowStartSearchBand to 0 to disable the pane.
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said this on 09 Apr 2008 3:34:54 AM PST
thank you for regsvr32. i now can search files again
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said this on 28 Jul 2008 5:54:57 AM PST
FleetCommand's solution leaves both options available, exactly as i wished. thankyou
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said this on 17 Feb 2009 10:52:05 PM PST
I tried using the "New" Desktop search tool. I couldn't get it to find the broad side of a barn. Even after changing the options 20 different ways. Thank you SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SOOOOOOOO much for your fix. You made it VERY easy with either method.
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said this on 21 Mar 2009 9:29:42 PM PST
hello --
excellent suggestions!
i tried the regsvr32 method first, which got me back to "search companion" but didn't restore the little dog. but using the attachment method worked perfectly. thank you!
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said this on 23 Apr 2009 6:35:33 PM PST
I can't Believe This Worked - Too Simple!
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said this on 24 Apr 2009 3:59:56 AM PST
I just did an update of XP sp3 and suddenly search became hideous and ugly. I searched long for joy fruitlessly, then... your "Method 2" worked most gloriously! And immediately! No more MS twit-ware in the way of my searches!! One of the good things about Win98 returns... You deserve a big root beer float.
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said this on 28 Apr 2009 7:38:45 AM PST
I only had to delete the TreatAs. THANK YOU for this, ms just sucks sometimes. The "instant search" crap will be the first thing I disable in win7 for sure. lol
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said this on 03 May 2009 11:14:00 AM PST
You rock! This has been bugging me for weeks, and one little click and you fixed me like magic! I love Ramesh!
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said this on 06 May 2009 5:08:57 PM PST
Method 1 worked like a charm. Thanks!
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said this on 12 May 2009 11:41:53 PM PST
Had been enervating for ages and solved in a minute now. Thanks!
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said this on 18 May 2009 4:24:48 PM PST
Bless YOU!
IT worked, thank you very much!!!
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