Classic Shell: Forum

Is there a way to set it so that when I hit the windows key it automatically is located on the search bar in the start menu, as opposed to clicking the bar with my mouse? This is something that is actually beginning to frustrate me more than the typical windows 8 tile screen when I hit the windows key. This was definitely a feature of the start menu in vista/7 that I thought was absolutely amazing, you hit the windows key and just start typing and it finds what you want, now I start typing and it starts opening menus that I wanted nothing to do with.

For example, I would do something like say go to msconfig and I would hit windows and just type msconfig, doing that with classic start menu goes to the settings folder (there is no m folder so the first thing it finds is the settings with s). Is there some way to change it to act more like the vista/7 auto search on windows key that I'm just not seeing?

Go to the Search Box tab in the settings. Set "Show search box" to "Access normally" and check "Selected by default".

Works great now, thanks! Don't know how I missed that in the settings before.

Upgraded W7 to Windows 8.
Installed ClassicShell 3.6.5
a-- don't see ANY classic shell entry in IE10 add-ons. It was considered a bug in previous Classic versions.
b-- typing in Start/search box at the bottom does nothing,,, with Return button is says "windows can't find...." even if I type a filename that is in root of C: drive.
THIS was the feature that I wanted to have in Windows 8. Thanks for your help.

a. If you installed the Classic Explorer or the Classic IE9 components you should see some addons from IvoSoft, as shown here:
http://www.classicshell.net/faq/#explorer_toolbar
Are you not seeing those?

b. The classic start menu doesn't search for files, only for programs.

That is correct. I do not see the any of those entries in the Add-on window.
I didn't know Classic does not search for files. DOWNER.

I have IE10, no hope then?

IE10 should work. Run the installer again, select Change, and make sure all components are checked.

I will but,,,, please clarify "select Change", where?

When you run the installer and press Next, you will see 3 buttons - Change, Repair and Remove. Click on Change.
If that doesn't work, uninstall and install again.

now 3 Ivosoft and one Classic IE9 entry are Enabled.

But, what did it buy me in terms of searching for files.?????

Nothing. You mentioned 2 problems: a) the addins are missing, b) the search doesn't find files. #b is not something that is currently possible. I am helping you with #a.
BTW, did you download the software from the Classic Shell website, or from another place?

OK. I understand. You were very helpful in resolving the missing Addins. I want to thank you for your support.

the bits were downloaded from:

http://www.classicshell.net/

I never get into this but,,, do you think a windows 8 macro would take me fast into the Files search field? I imagine it would be a quick solution?
If you know otherwise please advise.
Thank again for your help, have a good day.

One way is to press Win+F. It will open the Metro search for files.
Another is to type search-ms: in the Win+R box. It will open Explorer in search mode.
Then you can click on the icon in the address bar and drag it to the desktop. This will create a shortcut you can later click to open the search.
Once you have a shortcut you can give it a hotkey (like Ctrl+Alt+F)

more than I expected,,,,,, THANKS a lot. Again.