Hello! I test using the files attached in Vim 7.4.27 searching in the buffer 
content:
klocks (1.0, 20130715)                       Command Line Lock Keys

1. For the command:
:set hlsearch regexpengine=1
/^\C[a-z]\+\ze \&\(\.exe\)\@<!

the first word is selected.

2. For the command
:set hlsearch regexpengine=2
/^\C[a-z]\+\ze \&\(\.exe\)\@<!

the first letter of the line is selected.

Best regards !

On Tuesday, September 17, 2013 11:44:56 PM UTC+2, Bram Moolenaar wrote:
> Axel Bender wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> > The following search command with branches works differently depending
> 
> > on which RE engine is chosen:
> 
> > 
> 
> > ^\C[a-z]\+\ze \&\(\.exe\)\@<!
> 
> > 
> 
> > With re=1 the whole first word is selected.
> 
> > With re=2 only the first letter of the first word is selected.
> 
> > 
> 
> > Test case included.
> 
> 
> 
> What version of Vim, which patches did you include?
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
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> 
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> 
>      of your kids... and your pets.
> 
> 
> 
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> 
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> 
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