Replace or change "Search this site…" text in SharePoint 2010

Described below is a simple fix to replace “Search this site…” text within the search box in SharePoint 2010 site.

First of all locate these 2 folders –

1. %14Hive%\Template\Features\OSearchBasicFeature
2. %14 Hive%\Template\Features\OSearchEnhancedFeature

Now go to first folder, before proceeding take a backup of "SearchArea.xml", and then open the file in Notepad or SharePoint Designer 2010. Add the below property –

<Property Name="QueryPromptString">Some Text</Property>

In the property above, replace “Some Text” with the required text, in my case I have replaced this with “Keyword”. Repeat the above steps for "SearchArea.xml" file in second folder as well. Now after iisreset you will get the desired result.

Note: Only after changes in both the folders and iisreset you will get the result.

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