Enable & Disable Desktop Search Bar in Windows 11 [Hidden Feature]

Microsoft has recently introduced some experimental features in Windows 11 build 25120 and one of them is the ‘Desktop search box’. The company wants to bring an experience similar to Windows widgets but to desktops. It allows users to search the web right from the desktop

As of now, the company is testing this feature with limited users. So it is possible that not all users see the ‘Desktop search box widget’ even if you’re running Windows 11 build 25120.

Activate Desktop Search Box in Windows 11 (Right now)

In case, you want to give it a try, then in this blog post, we will share everything you need to know about it.

Out of the box, Desktop Search is enabled for limited users. In case, it’s unavailable, then here’s how you can activate it manually:

Download VIVETool using this link.

Extract the zip file to obtain the tool and required files.

Launch Windows Terminal app in Windows 11. For that, click on Search icon and type Windows Terminal and when it appears in search results, click to open it.

In Windows terminal, depending on your default shell profile, it could be Command prompt and Powershell, you need to execute the following command:

Note before executing the command, you need to select directly where vivetool is located. For that type cd to change ‘directory location‘. In my case its located in Downloads folder (C:\Users\Viney\Downloads\ViVeTool-0.2.1) So my command is: cd C:\Users\Viney\Downloads\ViVeTool-0.2.1

After that execute these commands:

Command prompt: vivetool.exe addconfig 37969115 2

Once you get the message “Successfully set feature configuration” confirm the new Desktop web search widget is enabled.

Restart your computer to apply the changes.

At any point you want to disable Desktop Web search Widget in Windows 11, then follow the same procedure, but this time you need to execute this command: vivetool.exe delconfig 37969115 2

Enable & Disable Desktop Search Box in Windows 11

With the default setting Desktop Web search widget is enabled which means whenever you turn on your PC, it will appear on the desktop. In case, due to any reason it doesn’t appear, then try the steps discussed below:

Right-click on the Desktop and select Show more options (SHIFT + F10).

From the menu that opens toggle the ‘Show search‘ option. Instantly search box will start appearing on the desktop.

You can search the web right from there. All the queries will open in the Microsoft Edge browser depending on what is the default search engine you have set.

At any point, if you want to hide Desktop web search widget in Windows 11, then follow the instructions discussed above and toggle off the ‘Show search’ option.

As simple as that!

So what is your opinion about the new Desktop Web search widget that Microsoft included in Windows 11? Are you going to use it to search the web right from the desktop? Let us know in the comments.