diff --git a/AppController.m b/AppController.m
index 3898ab0..1bedea2 100755
--- a/AppController.m
+++ b/AppController.m
@@ -61,8 +61,13 @@ - (id)init
 	[[NSUserDefaults standardUserDefaults] registerDefaults:[NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjectsAndKeys:
 		[NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjects:[NSArray arrayWithObjects:[NSNumber numberWithInt:9],[NSNumber numberWithLong:1179648],nil] forKeys:[NSArray arrayWithObjects:@"keyCode",@"modifierFlags",nil]],
 		@"ShortcutRecorder mainHotkey",
-		[NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjects:[NSArray arrayWithObjects:[NSNumber numberWithInt:1],[NSNumber numberWithLong:1179648|NSEventModifierFlagShift],nil] forKeys:[NSArray arrayWithObjects:@"keyCode",@"modifierFlags",nil]],
-		@"ShortcutRecorder searchHotkey",
+		// No default for "ShortcutRecorder searchHotkey" on purpose.  It used to default to
+		// shift-command-S, which is Save As... in Word and the colour picker in iWork, and a
+		// clipboard manager has no business claiming a shortcut that common system-wide.  With
+		// no default the recorder stays empty, -toggleSearchHotKey: registers nothing (it
+		// already guards on ShortcutRecorderEmptyCode), and the shortcut reaches the frontmost
+		// app as before.  Users who want the search window assign a shortcut in Preferences.
+		// Anyone who has already set one keeps it - that value lives in the user domain.
 		[NSNumber numberWithInt:10],
 		@"displayNum",
 		[NSNumber numberWithInt:40],
diff --git a/help.md b/help.md
index d985e05..d466195 100644
--- a/help.md
+++ b/help.md
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ Here's a complete list of keys you can use in the Bezel.
 
 **Search Window**
 
-Press the Search Hotkey (Shift-Command-B, by default) to open the search window. Type to filter your clipboard history. Use the arrow keys to navigate results and press Return to paste the selected item.
+The search window has **no shortcut out of the box** — assign one under "Search clipboard hotkey" in Preferences first. It is left unset deliberately, so that Flycut does not take a shortcut away from the app you are working in. Once assigned, press it to open the search window, type to filter your clipboard history, use the arrow keys to navigate results and press Return to paste the selected item.
 
 **Menu Features**
 
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 0f4a484..cc3dd5c 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Every time you copy a code piece, Flycut stores it in history. Later, you can pa
 | Shortcut | Action |
 |----------|--------|
 | Shift+Command+V | Open clipboard history (bezel) |
-| Shift+Command+B | Open search window |
+| _(unset by default)_ | Open search window — assign one in Preferences |
 
 ### Bezel Navigation