From Vista Service Pack 1, the search function is gone from the Start menu.
One alternative to open the search box is pressing Win + F.
You have more information in this KB article:
Overview of Windows Vista desktop search Changes in Windows Vista Service
Pack 1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941946/en-us
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Regards/Saludos,
Daniel Martín
Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience
"Don" <> wrote in message
news:...
> I have VISTA and all of a sudden the "Find" function seems to be gone.
> Also
> when I click on "All Programs" in Start, it only shows a few things. What
> happened? I can no longer find the stuff I need.
>