Add my applications to Vista’s Start Search

Question

When you start typing in the Start Search box in Windows 7 (or Vista) Start Menu, applications are appearing in the list from which you can select them. My question is how can I add my applications so they appear in that list.

For example: I use many apps from Sysinternals like Process Explorer, AutoRun, .... I would like to launch them by starting typing and as soon as they appear in the list start the application.

Answer 1

You can add it to your start menu folder to have it appear in the search box. Although from prior experience, just a shortcut sometimes doesn't work.

navigate to:

C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/

and drop your executable in there, you can even make a folder for it. Make sure it is named appropriately according to what you want to search for.

A great alternative to the above is Start++, you can make custom search strings for the Vista search box:

Answer 2

I think he just meant Vista indexing his programs so when he types put, putty appears or whatever.