Article ID: 968513 - Last Review: March 3, 2009 - Revision: 1.7

Internet Explorer 8 may prompt you with the following message when you type inside the Address bar: "Download Windows Search to improve history and favorites results"

View products that this article applies to.

On This Page

Expand all | Collapse all

SYMPTOMS

When you type inside the Address bar in Windows Internet Explorer 8, Internet Explorer may prompt you with the following message:
Download Windows Search to improve history and favorites results
Back to the top

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if either of the conditions is true:
  • Windows Search is not installed.
  • Windows Search is not enabled.
Back to the top

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, use one of the following methods, as appropriate for your situation.
Back to the top

Method 1: Download Windows Search

If you use Windows XP, Windows Vista, or a version of Windows Server that is earlier than Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2), download and install the latest version of Windows Search.

To do this, click Download Windows Search to improve history and favorites results.

For more information about Windows Search and how to download it, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=142710 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=142710)
Back to the top

Method 2: Enable Windows Search

If you use Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2), or Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Search is already installed on your computer. However, you may have to enable it.

To do this, follow these steps.

Windows 7

  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Click Programs.
  3. Click Turn Windows features on or off.
  4. Scroll down, click to select the Windows Search check box, and then click OK.

Windows Server 2008 SP2 or Windows Server 2008 R2

Open Server Manager, and then expand Roles.

If the File Services role is not listed in the Roles Summary section, follow these steps:
  1. Click Add Roles.
  2. Select File Services, and then click Next.
  3. Click Next as needed to reach the Select Server Roles screen.
  4. In the list of available Role Services, select Windows Search Service.
  5. Click Install.
If the File Services role is already listed in the Roles Summary section, follow these steps:
  1. Under File Services, expand Role Services.
  2. Click Add Role Services.
  3. On the Select Role Services screen, select Windows Search Service, and then click Next.
  4. If you want to index drives, select the drives that you want to index, and then click Next.
  5. Click Install.
Back to the top

MORE INFORMATION

For help with Windows Search problems in Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft web page:
Fix problems in which Windows Search is not working or searches are slower (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/windows_search)
Back to the top
APPLIES TO
  • Windows Internet Explorer 8, when used with:
    • Windows Vista Business
    • Windows Vista Starter
    • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
    • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
    • Windows Vista Ultimate
    • Windows Vista Home Premium
    • Windows Vista Home Basic
    • Windows Vista Enterprise
    • Windows Server 2008 Standard
    • Windows Web Server 2008
    • Windows Web Server 2008 R2
    • Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter
    • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
    • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter
    • Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
    • Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
    • Windows 7 Enterprise
    • Windows 7 Enterprise N
    • Windows 7 Home Basic
    • Windows 7 Home Premium
    • Windows 7 Home Premium N
    • Windows 7 Professional
    • Windows 7 Professional N
    • Windows 7 Starter
    • Windows 7 Starter N
    • Windows 7 Ultimate
    • Windows 7 Ultimate N
Back to the top
Keywords: 
kbdownload atdownload kbhowto kbtshoot kbexpertisebeginner kbsurveynew kbprb KB968513
Back to the top
 

Get Help Now

Contact a support professional by E-mail, Online, or Phone

Article Translations