Vista's desktop search drives me nuts :o) One the side, you may find this interesting:

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+agrees+to+change+Vista+desktop+search/2100-1012_3-6192065.html

Back to searching in Vista, I had to do something similar to these steps to get all the results (instead of a partial list):

http://www.vista4beginners.com/Improve-Instant-Search



>Just a little tip - get familiar with the Search box on the task bar. I don't think I ever click for any applications or options I just type a couple of words and I'm there.
>
>For example all the Control Panel Applets can be accessed this way. For example:
>
>Programs
>
>will get you a list of installed programs including the Windows Installer dialog (Programs and Features). Or
>
>Device
>
>to get you to device manager. Or Goto to find GotoMeeting etc. etc.
>
>A lot of people complain about Vista as just eye candy but there's a lot of productivity improvement under the hood if you just use a few of the new features...
>
>Tell you what - I would hate to have to go back to XP... Even when running in VPC for testing I continually use the Windows key to look things up and curse it when nothing comes up <s>... Habits change quickly if you find something that works more efficiently for you.
>
>+++ Rick ---
>
>>Hi Doug.
>>
>>I'm trying to follow your philosophy. I have this new Vista machine up and running and I'm really trying to resist any urges to turn things off or do things the old way. I'm trying to force myself to learn Vista. I will admit that I changed the Control Panel to show it to me the "Classic View". Using the Vista view means I have to drill 2 or 3 levels deep to do what I can do with one click on the classic view. But other than that .. I'm giving Vista an honest try.
>>
>>One thing that is really annoying though .. and I don't know if it's Vista or my new laptop .. I have the laptop on the right and an external monitor on the left so the external monitor is at a negative x,y point. Everytime I log in or switch users or return from hibernation it resorts back to thinking the laptop is on the left and the external is on the right so I keep having to change it several times a day. What a PITA!!
>>
>>
>>
>>>Hi Rick.
>>>
>>>>I'm now sure I'll be shutting off UAC too - what a pain!
>>>
>>>I wouldn't do that -- UAC is there for a reason. IMO, it's better to learn to work with it.
>>>
>>>When Windows 95 first came out, I kept bringing up a DOS window to do file copying and related commands. After a couple of days, though, I figured it was better to learn the new way to do things rather than continuing to work the old way.
>>>
>>>Doug