How to speed up Vista's Start Menu Search Feature:

This popular feature of Windows Vista is extremely handy. However, if there are a huge amount of files on your hard drive the search process can be a little sluggish. In order to speed up the process without taking away from its usefulness. You can limit the results that will be displayed. Here's how:
1. Right click the Start button
2. Select properties
3. Select the Customize button
4. Scroll the list until you find the "Search" entries.
5. Uncheck the Search entries to fit your needs.

* First, you will need to keep the "Search" entry checked to keep the Search feature enabled.
* Uncheck "Search Communications" if you have no need to search for files within your mail programs.
* Uncheck "Search favorites" if you have no need to search through your Internet Explorer favorites.
* The "Search files" entry has three radio buttons:
Don't search for files
Search the entire index
Search the users files

Select the one that will best suit your needs.

"Search programs" is the last option. Keeping this enabled will help you quickly locate applications in your start menu.