“that worthless search box”
It IS worthless. Typical Windows... take something that was intuitive and add 5 extra clicks to the process.
What is worse is the default setting to search the internet from the box. So as you type “Contr..” it begins showing you web results for “contraception” instead of Control Panel.
I learned this the hard way when using my work computer. Started typing in “down...” to find the downloads folder (you know, the one that used to be right there) and I hit Enter before typing the full word.
What did Bill think I needed to see? Web search results for “downblouse,” which it then immediately opened in the equally worthless lEdge browser.
Just add Control Panel to your start icons.