Classic Shell: Forum

I see the entry on advice about searching:

By default, in the single column 'Classic style', the search box isn't focused so you can use keyboard accelerators. You need to press Tab to focus on the search box although this can be changed from the "Search box" tab in Start Menu settings. When the setting "Access normally" is selected and the "Selected by default" option is checked, the search box will be focused when you press the Win key.

I don't understand it!
1) what do you mean 'search box isn't focused'. What is'focused'?
2) Where do I press Tab? When I press in the search box, nothing happens.
3) where do I find 'Start Menu settings'? I can't find them in the control panel or program list

The Start menu has its own settings which can be opened by right clicking the Start button and choosing Settings. Another way to open them is via left clicking Start -> All Programs -> Classic Shell -> Classic Start Menu settings.

When you open Start Menu settings, you can turn on the option "Show all settings" so the advanced options are also shown. Now if you go to the tab called Search Box, you will see the options to configure its behavior.

The search box can be used in 2 ways (depending on "Access normally"/"Access with Tab" and "Selected by default" options)

- Either you can press the Windows key and begin typing immediately and what you type appears inside the search box. This is because the blinking text cursor (insertion point) is already inside the search box (that is what it means by search box is focused). So when you type anything, the text gets inserted into the search box.

OR

- When you open the Start menu and type some letter for example, u, the Shutdown menu will open, if the search box is not focused/selected. When you press P, the Programs submenu will open, when you press R, the Run dialog will open. These are called keyboard accelerators. What you type won't be entered into the search box, instead the various menu items will open. If this is the behavior of the search box, you can press the Tab key on your keyboard to move the focus (blinking cursor) inside the search box.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Many thanks for your very quick reply. After some fiddling, I achieved my objective ie to search for files on my laptop. I used your advice to find start settings, show all settings & search box etc. I selected single column & in the search box tab, selected Access normally. I also selected single column. I clicked on ok. When I clicked on start, the menu now shows 'Search' with a magnifying glass which is what I was after. Maybe it was there all the time, but I couldn't see it with the way that the start button had been configured. Your advice about search box & explanation of what 'focus' is very useful.