How in the Tech

Add “I’m Feeling Lucky” to Vista Search

By Adam Myers ⋅ May 3, 2008 ⋅ Tags: Customization, Vista

One of the features that Microsoft got right in Vista was integrated Search in the Start Menu. Once you’ve gotten used to the ideology you’ll find yourself able to open applications or documents without you fingers leaving the keyboard. It really is a valid time saver that works well in this context. In addition to searching your local hard drive, you can also search the Internet. Handy for sure, but what if you already knew the website you wanted to go to? Here’s how to integrate Google’s “I’m Feeling Lucky” search – a feature that takes you directly to the top website for your search in Google’s rankings – into Vista Start Menu Search.

Click the Start button, and from the Search box type gpedit.msc to launch the Group Policy Editor. (Available only in Business/Ultimate editions).

Navigate the tree to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Instant Search -> Custom Instant Search Internet Search provider.

Right click the Instant Search provider option and Enable it via the Properties. Name it something appropriately and provide this custom URL:

http://www.google.com/search?btnI=I%27m+Feeling+Lucky&q=%w

Close the Group Policy Editor. The easiest way to have your change now applied is to just reboot.

This doesn’t just work for Google, just about any site can be added here if you know the correct Search URL. Searching Amazon, eBay, or Youtube just became a whole lot simpler!