Internet Explorer · How-To

Control the Internet Explorer 7 Search Area

Kristan Kenney · Original date not recorded · Restored archive post · Edited by Muhd Radhi Wahab
Restored from the windows-now.com archive. This guide was originally published by Kristan Kenney on windows-now.com; the original publication date was not recorded. It is reproduced faithfully for its historical and reference value, with the original author credited. If you are the author and would like this amended or removed, contact us.

If you are using Windows Internet Explorer 7 on either Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Vista, you may notice that the browser includes several new functions, including tabbed browsing and integrated search capability. If you do not like having the Search area next to the address bar there is a way to remove it on a per-user and system wide basis.

To do this, you will need to use the Registry Editor. Editing the Registry should not be done unless you have knowledge of the Windows System Registry. Take care when editing the registry and don't change values that you are unsure of. I can not be held responsible if you mess up the Registry while trying this.

This article applies to:

  • Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP
  • Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003
  • Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista

Steps to take in order to control the Internet Explorer Search Field:

  • Open the Registry Editor by pressing WinKey+R on your keyboard and then typing regedit.exe (without the quotes). On Windows Vista you may receive a User Account Control prompt asking for your consent, click on Continue.
  • Navigate to 
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions
    If this key doesn't exist, create it.
  • Create a new DWORD Value (if you are using Windows Server 2003 or Windows Vista this may be called DWORD (32-bit Value)) and give it a name of NoSearchBox.
  • Double click on the NoSearchBox DWORD value and give it a value of 1.

Open Internet Explorer 7 and the Search area should be removed.

For the sake of simplicity, I have created a set of four registry files that you can merge to control this feature. Editor's note: that link is not part of the restored archive. They are clearly named so you know which one to use:

  • Disable Internet Explorer 7 Search Box - All Users.reg
  • Disable Internet Explorer 7 Search Box - Current User.reg
  • Enable Internet Explorer 7 Search Box - All Users.reg
  • Enable Internet Explorer 7 Search Box - Current User.reg

Download: Windows Internet Explorer 7 Search Area Enable/Disable Registry Files Editor's note: that link is not part of the restored archive.

Frequently asked

How do you remove the Search area in Internet Explorer 7?

Open the Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions, creating the key if it does not exist. Create a new DWORD value named NoSearchBox, give it a value of 1, then reopen Internet Explorer 7 and the Search area should be removed.

Which versions of Windows does this Internet Explorer 7 tweak apply to?

It applies to Internet Explorer 7 on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista, and it can be applied on a per-user or system-wide basis.