Add the ability to use the default Windows Search from the Open-Shell menu #2514

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1. runningvisor

   added

   Enhancement/Feature RequestAn Enhancement/Feature request by the communityAn Enhancement/Feature request by the community

   on Aug 3, 2026
2. runningvisor commented on Aug 4, 2026

   

   runningvisor

   on Aug 4, 2026

   Last edited by runningvisor

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   After looking into the AutoHotKey documentation, I tried my best to write a script for this without wearing myself out. I'm still hoping this gets implemented since y'all know more than I do and would be more reliable.

   Below is my best working attempt, which although still misses the first letter if you type too fast, it is better than my other previous attempts which are farther below with explanations.

   #Requires AutoHotkey v2.0
   
   Loop
   {
      if WinActive("ahk_class OpenShell.CMenuContainer")
      {
          try {
              SearchText := ControlGetText("Edit1")
              if not (SearchText = "")
              {
                  Send "#s"
                  Send SearchText
              }
          }
      }
   }
   

   Looking for the "Search" window. This one performs worse because although it takes time for the Windows Search to take focus (observed with Window Spy), one can still type in the search box, leading to the first letter being inserted mid-phrase when it eventually gets focus.

   #Requires AutoHotkey v2.0
   
   Loop
   {
      while WinActive("ahk_class OpenShell.CMenuContainer")
      {
          SearchText := ControlGetText("Edit1")
          if not (SearchText = "") {
              Send "#s"
              WinWait "Search"
              Send SearchText
          }
      }
   }
   

   Despite checking the actual color of the search box (which changes before Windows Search takes focus), this one seems actually miss the first letter entirely. This will also only work for those with 1080p displays set to 100% scale.

   #Requires AutoHotkey v2.0
   
   Loop
   {
      if WinActive("ahk_class OpenShell.CMenuContainer")
      {
          try {
              SearchText := ControlGetText("Edit1")
              if not (SearchText = "")
              {
                  Send "#s"
                  CoordMode "Screen"
                  while not (PixelGetColor(48, 1047) = 0x0078D7)
                  {
                      
                  }
                  Send SearchText
              }
          }
      }
   }