With the arrival of Windows Vista, the Start Menu became a lot more useful, allowing you to run apps and search your PC with just a few keystrokes. But in Windows 7 (and Windows Server 2008 R2), it can do even more. With a simple tweak of the Group Policy Editor, you'll be able to run Internet searches right from the Start Menu.

Here's how to make it happen:

1. In the Start Menu search box, type gpedit.msc and press Enter to run the Group Policy Editor.

2. Go to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Start Menu and Taskbar.

3. Double-click Add Search Internet link to Start Menu, and from the screen that appears, select Enabled. Then click OK and close the Group Policy Editor.

Now, just type a search term in the Start Menu Search box. You'll see a "Search the Internet" link; click it to run the search in your default browser using your default search engine.

Cool, no? This seems so eminently useful, we can't help wondering why Microsoft didn't bake it right into the OS. Alas, because this hack requires Group Policy Editor, it won't work in the Home or Basic editions of Windows 7.

Follow Migration Expert Zone on Twitter!