Disable Windows Search (use the Search Companion)

If the Windows Search has been annoying you like it has been annoying you, just disable it.

Open the registry editor and navigate to key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Desktop Search\DS\ShowStartSearchBand and change the value to 0.

For this to work, you have to use the Windows Search at least once and press the use Search Companion Link at the bottom. Otherwise the Key won't be created.