How to Remove the Search Bar in IE7

by Eric Som
Remove the IE7 search box on your computer by modifying your registry.

Remove the IE7 search box on your computer by modifying your registry.

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Internet Explorer (IE) 7 comes pre-installed with a search toolbar, which allows you to choose a search engine provider, such as Google, Bing Search or Yahoo! Search, and then perform Web searches from the toolbar. However, if you do not find this feature helpful, you must modify your Windows registry by using a text editor, such as Notepad, to hide or remove the search box, as IE7 does not offer users the option of removing this tool.

Step 1

Open the Windows Start menu, select the "Run" utility. Type "notepad" in the box and then hit "Enter" on your keyboard, or select "OK." A new Notepad window will open.

Step 2

Paste the following command into the notepad: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\Internet Explorer\\Infodelivery\\Restrictions] \"NoSearchBox\"=dword:00000001

Step 3

Click on "File," select "Save As" and type "IE7_NoSearchBar" in the "File Name" field. Click "Save."

Step 4

Merge the new string of commands into your registry by double-clicking on the notepad. You have successfully removed the search bar from IE7.

About the Author

Eric Som has been writing professionally since 2002, contributing to various websites. He is certified through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Som holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Laws from Handong Global University. He is also completing a Juris Doctor at an Ohio law school.

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