Appendix I: Internet-Based Resources Available from Search, the Start Menu, and Control Panel
Applies To: Windows Server 2008
In This Appendix
Start Menu Search and Internet Communication
Control Panel Search and Internet Communication
Links to Internet-based Resources that Are Found in the Start Menu
Start Menu Search and Internet Communication
The Search box on the Start menu integrates multiple kinds of searches, making it easy for you to search for such items as files, programs, recently visited Web pages, and Web pages added to the Favorites list. By using Group Policy, you can exclude recently visited Web pages and Web pages added to the Favorites list from searches.
The Group Policy setting is in User Configuration under Policies (if present), in Administrative Templates\Start Menu and Taskbar\Do not search Internet. If you enable this policy setting, the Search box on the Start menu will not search for recently visited Web pages or favorites.
Control Panel Search and Internet Communication
In Windows Server 2008, Control Panel (in the default Classic view) has a Search box that helps users and administrators find interfaces located within Control Panel. If Control Panel is in Category view (not Classic view) the first time you type a query into the Control Panel Search box, the following prompt appears:
Do you want to help improve Control Panel search results?
By choosing to send your search queries to Microsoft, you can help improve search results. Information that is collected will not be used to identify or contact you.
Control Panel also displays prompts for turning the search-query option on or off after the initial choice has been made.
Whether the search-query option is turned on or off, when Control Panel is in Classic view, it does not send search queries across the Internet. You can use Group Policy to specify that Control Panel remain in Classic view.
Preventing Control Panel Search from Sending Information Across the Internet
You can use Group Policy to specify that Control Panel remain in Classic view, which means that no search queries are sent across the Internet.
The Group Policy setting is in User Configuration under Policies (if present), in Administrative Templates\Control Panel\Force classic Control Panel view. If you enable this policy setting, Control Panel remains in Classic view. Whether the search-query option is turned on or off, when Control Panel is in Classic view, it does not send search queries across the Internet.
Links to Internet-based Resources that Are Found in the Start Menu
In Windows Server 2008, if you click Start, click All Programs or Programs, and then click Extras and Upgrades, a list of Internet-based resources appears.
Note
The items that appear in the Start menu and submenus can vary, depending on which operating system edition and language pack you use and whether the operating system was preinstalled by a computer manufacturer.
Under Extras and Upgrades, the following links might appear:
Windows Web site. The link in the menu goes to: