Microsoft recently announced a nifty update for Search in Windows 11 and Windows 10 called Search highlights that will highlight interesting moments in time from the world around you and in your organization.
What is Search Highlights in Windows 11 & Windows 10?
The Search Highlights feature when enabled will periodically update the content which includes fun illustrations that will help you in stay productive, be connected and discover more. The hints in the search box will give you idea about what you should see in search home.
You will find interesting and notable moments which includes anniversaries, holidays, and educational moments in your region and globally. You will also find highlights feature what’s special about today.
You will find additional content in search box related to daily content like word of the day, and today’s great moments. Trending searches, Microsoft Rewards and even more. Of course, you will be able to search for files, settings, apps, and quick answers on the web.
Microsoft has started rolling out Search Highlights features in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Although its a nifty feature addition to Windows OS, some users might not find it useful and would like to switch to classic Start menu home.
Disable Search Highlights in Windows 11 & Windows 10
Fortunately, it is possible to disable Search Highlights feature in Windows 11 and Windows 10 and in this blog post, we will share all the method with step by step instructions on how to do that:
Windows 11
Launch Settings app by pressing WIN + I key combination.
In the Settings app, you need to select Privacy & security > Search settings.
Here, you need to move slider for “Show search highlights” to OFF position.
Windows 10
Right-click in the Taskbar and select Search and then turn it off.
Alternatively, you can also use Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor to disable Search Highlights feature in Windows 11 and Windows 10 (Steps are common for both Windows OS). Learn, how to do that:
Registry Editor
Click on the Search icon and type gpedit.msc and when Edit group policy option appear, click to open it.
In Group Policy Editor, you need to head over to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
On the right side, locate “Allow search highlights“. Double-click on it and in the window that open, set option to Enable or Disable.
Registry Editor
Click on the Search icon and type regedit and when Registry Editor appear in results, click to open it.
In Registry Editor HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
On the right side, look for EnableDynamicContentInWSB DWORD value, and set following Value data:
- O to Disable Search Highlights feature
- 1 to Enable Search Highlights feature
Unfortunately, Search Highlights feature update isn’t reached to my PC, but its possible you already have it. So if you don’t like it, then you can use these ways to disable Search Highlights feature in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Why don’t you give it a try and let us know, if you find it useful. Also, feel free to share why you want to disable Search highlights feature?
