As you know, Windows XP Service Pack 3 installation removes the Address toolbar (Deskband) in the Taskbar. According to Microsoft KB 951448, this change was made in response to an issue that was raised by a regulatory agency. Address band is a favorite item for most of us, and here is how to restore it back to your Taskbar.
There are third-party Address bar replacement tools to accomplish the task.
1. MuvEnum Address Bar – MuvEnum Address Bar is the ultimate replacement for the missing address bar in Windows XP SP3. It recreates the experience of the original address bar with auto-completion while adding many new features that allow you to quickly open webpages, navigate to favorites, start programs, search the internet, and more from you Windows Taskbar!
2. Niversoft – Address taskband replacement for Windows XP SP3 (direct download)
MuvEnum Address Bar required .NET Framework 2.0 to be installed in the system. So I chose install the 2nd one (Niversoft), which does not require .NET Framework.
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Editor’s note: There is an unsupported tip circulating on the net on how to restore the Address band by copying an older version of browseui.dll to the Windows\System32 and the DllCache directories. That might make the system vulnerable!
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As if you could live without it, which people in their right minds would want it removed, sheeple please, real estate please, if youve got half a gram of grey matter you would realise the utility is your best friend, why waste time with windows+r or the mouse movements when you can click and type and go. It’s as simple as that.
Those that request to have it removed should be REMOVED from the pc and given a pen ‘n’ paper to do their work on.
Long live the address bar!