I’ve been annoyed by Windows XP file search “util” (that annoying dog, etc) ever since I started using it.  Finally! I came across a tweak to bring it back to the Windows 2000/2003 way of searching:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer CabinetState

Create a new STRING value and name it “Use Search Asst” without the quotes.

Specify the value data equal to “no” without the quotes.  Here is a reg file that you can copy & paste:

Windows Registry Editor Version
5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerCabinetState]
"Use Search Asst"="no"

 If you’re interested in doing the same to IE, modify this key in the same way:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Internet Explorer Main