Set Default Value for Search Input Box in SharePoint 2010

There are multiple ways to set the default value in small search input box depending of the scope. Approaches are described below:

Farm Level

If you want to change the default text in Farm level follow the steps,

1. Open the file in notepad.
   
   C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14\TEMPLATE\FEATURES\OSearchBasicFeature\SearchArea.xml
   
   
2. Add the below property within the <Control> node.
   
   1. <Property Name="QueryPromptString"> [Your Default Search Text] </Property>
   Here [Your Default Search Text] is the text you want to show in the search box.
   
   
3. Open the file in notepad.
   
   C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14\TEMPLATE\FEATURES\OSearchEnhancedFeature\SearchArea.xml
   
   
4. Add the below property within the <Control> node.
   
   1. <Property Name="QueryPromptString"> [Your Default Search Text] </Property>
   Here [Your Default Search Text] is the text you want to show in the search box.

Web Application/Site Collection/Site Level

If you want to change the default text for Web Application/Site Collection/Site (Web) level follow the below steps,