Here’s how to turn it off and go back to the search tool that was in Windows 2000, courtesy of Windows XP Tips at TechRupublic: “1. Open the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). 2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software \Microsoft \Windows \CurrentVersion \Explorer\ CabinetState. 3. Go to Edit | New | String Value. 4. Name the new value Use Search Asst. 5. Double-click the new value, type no in the Value Data text box, and click OK. 6. Close the Registry Editor, and restart the system. To switch back to the Search Companion, just go back to the Registry Editor, and change the Value Data to yes. Note: Editing the registry is risky, so be sure you have a verified backup before making any changes.”