Classic Search Style (Kill the dog, done right)

In order to remove the annoying and useless search dog all you need to do is add one simple registry key. Regedit your way to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState

Right-click an empty space in the right pane and select New > String Value

Name the new value Use Search Asst

Double-click this new value, and enter no as it's value data