How to disable ‘Search the web and Windows’ on the Windows 10 taskbar

Limit Windows 10’s taskbar searches to your local machine

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Today’s tip shows how to quickly disable the «Search the web and Windows» setting feature in Windows.

Although Bing search is great in many use cases (especially image and video search), Microsoft’s decision to integrate it into the Windows taskbar by default «turns off» and frustrates some users.

Personally, I would’ve preferred two small icons on the taskbar for search: one for for local filesystem search, and a second exclusively for web search.

Instead, web and windows searches are bundled together using a search textbox, found next to the Start Button.

The fastest way to change the taskbar’s search behavior: Press the Windows+S keyboard shortcut, and click the Settings «gear» icon.

Next, toggle Search online and include web results to the off position. This is the setting that disables web taskbar search, and changes the description text to read «Search Windows.»

Alternatively, you can access this same settings menu via Windows+X, Search shortcut.

Last but not least, you may wish to use Windows 10’s Settings app to change the taskbar’s default search behavior and related Privacy and Microphone settings.

To find these settings, type «Cortana» in Settings’ search field:

This story, «How to disable ‘Search the web and Windows’ on the Windows 10 taskbar» was originally published by ITworld .

Stephen Glasskeys is a blogger and blog watcher, writer and developer. Full-time fan of funny people, dogs & coffee.

Windows 10 ‘Search the web and Windows’

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand your concern, and we in Community will try to help you in the best possible way we can.

I suggest you to follow the below methods to resolve this issue.

Method 1: Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.

Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter and check if that helps you.

Follow the steps mentioned below.

a. Press Windows + X, select Control Panel

b. Type “Troubleshooting” without quotes in the Control Panel Search box and hit enter.

c. Select “System and Security” option from the Control panel.

d. Select “Search and Indexing”.

e. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.

If the issue still persist refer to the below method

Method 2: Enable Search Service.

Ensure that Windows Search service is running with Startup type is Automatic.

a. Press Windows and R keys together.

b. Type “Services.msc” without quotes and press Enter.

c. Double click on Windows Search service.

d. Set the Startup type as Automatic and then click Start under Service status.

e. Click on OK and save the changes.

f. restart the computer and check the issue status.

Hope the information helps, if you have any further queries, feel free to post. We are here to assist you.

«Search the web and Windows» not working in windows 10

Replies (5) 

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

I regret the inconvenience caused to you. Let me help you.

In order to understand the issue in a better manner, please share the following details.

Are you facing this issue on a Local account or a Microsoft account?

Have you installed all pending updates on the computer?

Since when did the issue started appearing?

Have you made any changes in settings prior to the issue?

Do you see any error code or error message on the screen?

I suggest you to perform the below methods and check if it helps.

Method 1: Run SFC Scan

I suggest you to click on the link and follow the procedure.

Method 2: Run DISM Tool
I would also suggest you to run the System update readiness command. It detects incorrect manifests, cabinets or registry data, it may replace the incorrect data with corrected version available. Follow the steps.

Press Windows key + X .

Click command prompt (Run as administrator) .

In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, type the following commands. Press Enter key after each command:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

To close the Administrator: Command prompt window, type Exit , and then press Enter

I hope the issue will be resolved. If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us again. We will be happy to assist you accordingly.

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn’t help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

I have the same problem «Search the web and Windows» not working in windows 10″

My answers to your questions are:

Are you facing this issue on a Local account or a Microsoft account? Local

Have you installed all pending updates on the computer? Yes

Since when did the issue started appearing? After one of the updates and restarting the computer

Have you made any changes in settings prior to the issue? No

Do you see any error code or error message on the screen? No

I executed Method 1 and Method 2 and I still have the problem.

My laptop is: DELL XPS L511Z and running Window 10 home edition with 64 bit.

I look forward to hear from you.

Pasted from a duplicate thread:

Hi, I have the problem «Search the web and Windows» not working in windows 10″

I tried to follow the Aswin_Anand (Microsfot Support Enginee) replied on Sep. 11/2015 (see the following) about this issue without luck.

See my answers to his questions are:

Are you facing this issue on a Local account or a Microsoft account? Local

Have you installed all pending updates on the computer? Yes

Since when did the issue started appearing? After one of the updates and restarting the computer

Have you made any changes in settings prior to the issue? No

Do you see any error code or error message on the screen? No

I also executed Method 1 and Method 2 and I still have the problem.

My laptop is: DELL XPS L511Z and running Window 10 home edition with 64 bit.

I look forward to hear from you.

Link to the Aswin’s reply

In order to understand the issue in a better manner, please share the following details.

Are you facing this issue on a Local account or a Microsoft account?

Have you installed all pending updates on the computer?

Since when did the issue started appearing?

Have you made any changes in settings prior to the issue?

Do you see any error code or error message on the screen?

I suggest you to perform the below methods and check if it helps.

Method 1: Run SFC Scan

I suggest you to click on the link and follow the procedure.

Method 2: Run DISM Tool
I would also suggest you to run the System update readiness command. It detects incorrect manifests, cabinets or registry data, it may replace the incorrect data with corrected version available. Follow the steps.

Press Windows key + X .

Click command prompt (Run as administrator) .

In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, type the following commands. Press Enter key after each command:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

To close the Administrator: Command prompt window, type Exit , and then press Enter

I hope the issue will be resolved. If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us again. We will be happy to assist you accordingly.

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn’t help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

We understand the inconvenience caused to you.

Try below troubleshooting steps and check if it resolves the issue.

Method 1: Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.

Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter to check and fix issues with Windows search. Follow the steps mentioned below.
1. Right click on Start button, select Control Panel.
2. Change the view by option on the top right to Large icons.
3. Click on Troubleshooting and click on the view all option on the left panel.
4. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.

Method 2: Enable Search Service.

Ensure that Windows Search service is running with Startup type as Automatic.

1. Press Windows key + R (opens Run command), type services.msc and press Enter.
2. Double click on Windows Search service.
3. Click on General tab, set the Startup type as Automatic and then click Start under Service status.
4. Click on Apply and OK and save the changes.
5. Check to see if the issue is resolved. If not, restart the system.

Refer to the suggestions by Sharath Srinivasa replied on January 23, 2015 in the link given below.

If the issue persists, refer to the suggestion by Ravinath from the following link and check.

I request you not to create multiple threads on same issue and please reply us on same thread for further assistance.

If the issue remains unresolved, please get back to us and we would be happy to help.

How to Search in Windows 10

The Windows 10 search feature seems pretty simple, but it can be even more effective. Here are some ways to control your searches and find things faster.

Finding a specific app, file, or setting buried in the depths of Windows 10 can be challenging. If you’re having trouble tracking down specific items across the Start menu, File Explorer, and Windows Settings menu, use the search feature. Windows 10 offers a powerful and flexible search tool that can help you find exactly what you want, no matter where it is.

With the Windows 10 search tool, you can conduct narrow searches to find specific items such as apps from the Start menu, music from File Explorer, and preferences from the Settings menu.

You can run web searches directly from the search box without first having to open your browser. The tool even gives you easy access to the apps and files you use most frequently.

This search feature was once closely tied to Cortana, but the Windows 10 May 2019 Update split the two apart. Windows 10 search also has its own settings screen where you can customize your experience.

With the Windows 10 November 2019 Update, Windows Search is now integrated into the search function in File Explorer. That means you can type or select a keyword in the search field, and File Explorer suggests files based on your search term. Now, let’s check out how to use the search tool.

Update Windows

Starting Your Search

Run a Search

Search by Categories

The search menu consists of several categories, including Apps, Documents, Email, Web, and—from the More drop-down menu—Folders, Music, People, Photos, Settings, and Video. Click a category to filter the results.

When you’re searching for a specific software program, you can click Apps to narrow the search field. Looking for a document related to your search term? Select the heading for Documents. If you’re seeking an email connected with your search term, select the heading for Email.

You can even search for a website or specific web page under the Web tab. The search window shows you direct results in the right pane and related searches in the left pane. Click on one of the searches and you’re directed to a Bing page.

How to disable web search in Windows 10’s start menu

The search in Windows 10 returns local files, programs and settings but also web results by default. While that may be useful to some users of the operating system, it is irritating or useless for others.

Since most web results are generic search suggestions, it is just a faster way of running searches instead of getting results directly displayed in the interface.

If you search for gpedit.msc for instance using the search in Windows 10, you will notice that the right result is displayed at the top.

Below that are web results however which make up the bulk of the results listing. While some results may be useful at times, others appear outdated, e.g. gpedit.msc vista, and of little use because of that.

Disable Web Search in Windows 10

I will never use the search for a couple of reasons. First, I don’t need it there as I want local files and settings to be returned exclusively when I run a search on Windows 10.

Second, the suggestions are too generic most of the time and third, since a browser is open all the time on my system, I can run a search using it as well without having to add another step to the process.

Thankfully, Microsoft has added options to disable web search in Windows 10 so that only local results are returned.

The problem with this right now is however that it won’t work for everybody. While Microsoft has added policies to block web searches in Windows 10, they don’t seem to work in recent builds, at least not for everybody.

However, it is more than likely that this will get sorted out before release.

Disable Web Search using Group Policy

1. To open the Group Policy Editor, tap on the Windows-key, type gpedit.msc and hit enter. Note that the editor is (likely) only included in Pro and Enterprise versions and not in Windows 10 Home. If you run home, check out the other methods listed below instead.
2. Browse to the following path using the left sidebar: Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search
3. Locate «Do not allow web search» and double-click it. Switch the preference to enabled.
4. Locate «Don’t search the web or display web results in Search and double-click it. Switch the preference to enabled.
5. Locate «Don’t search the web or display web results in Search over metered connections» and double-click it. Switch the preference to enabled.

This method worked in earlier builds of Windows 10 and it is very likely that it will work in newer builds as well.

Disable online search in the Registry

The following method is useful to Windows 10 Home users who don’t have access to the Group Policy Editor.

1. Tap on the Windows-key, type regedit.exe and hit enter.
2. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
3. If the key does not exist, right-click on Windows and select New > Key, and name it Windows Search.
4. If the preference ConnectedSearchUseWeb exists, double-click on it and set it to 0 to turn web search in Windows 10 off.
5. If it does not exist, right-click on Windows Search and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value, name it ConnectedSearchUseWeb, and set its value to 0.

Search preferences

Update: Microsoft removed the option to disable web searches in the Settings UI. The following method does not work anymore.

Probably the easiest option of the four methods to disable web search in Windows 10.

1. Run a search by tapping on the Windows-key and starting to type. Don’t hit enter though.
2. Locate the settings icon on the left of the search interface and click on it.
3. Scroll down until you find «Search online and include web results» listed there as an option.
4. Flip the switch from on to off.
5. Some users have stated that this option becomes only available if Cortana is set to off.

Disable Web Search using the Firewall

What you may do instead for now is block access to Search using the Windows Firewall. If you open the firewall configuration, you will notice that a Search rule is set there already which you just need to disable.

Note : Search is listed as an option in stable builds, but most recent Insider Builds don’t seem to have that entry anymore. You may need to block «cortana» instead, but that may affect the functionality of the digital assistant as well.

1. Tap on the Windows-key, type Windows Firewall select the «Windows Firewall with Advanced Security» (in newer versions of Windows 10 «Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security») result, and hit enter.
2. Select «Outbound Rules» on the left.
3. Click on the «name header» of the outbound rules listing to sort the listing alphabetically.
4. Scroll down until you find «search» listed there and double-click on the entry.
5. Switch the action from «allow the connection» to «block the connection».

When you run searches now, web results are not displayed anymore in the search results. Please note that a «can’t connect to Search, make sure you’ve got Internet» is displayed in the start menu if you block Search from making outbound connections.