[Tip] Disable Search Highlights in Windows 10 and 11

If you don’t like the new “Search Highlights” feature introduced in Windows 10 and Windows 11 and want to disable it, this article will help you.

Please keep in mind, Search highlights feature is currently being rolled out in phases via Windows Updates. Some Windows users have already received the feature on their devices. If you haven’t received the feature yet, you’ll need to wait for some time until Microsoft enables the feature on your device.

What is Search Highlights in Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Search highlights is a new feature added to Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems which shows small hints or icons inside the Search box present on the Taskbar or inside Start Menu.

It’s an update to the built-in Search functionality in Windows 10 and 11. Initially the feature was tested in Insider Preview builds of Windows 10 (build 19044) and Windows 11 (build 22572) and now Microsoft has started rolling out Search Highlights to stable or public versions of Windows 10 and 11.

Following screenshots show Search Highlights feature in action:

Search Highlights in Windows 10:

As you can see in above screenshot, the Search highlights feature shows special icons at the right-side of the Search box present on the Taskbar in Windows 10.

Search Highlights in Windows 11:

As shown in above screenshot, the Search highlights feature shows special icons inside the Search box on expanded Search fly-out when the user clicks on Search icon present on the Taskbar in Windows 11.

The main idea behind Search Highlights feature is to make the user aware about interesting moments or days such as holidays, anniversaries, Christmas, etc. Whenever there is a special day, the Search box displays a fun icon or image to give the user an idea about what he should expect present on the main Search home.

Search highlights feature looks similar to Google Doodle which also highlights special moments or days on regular basis.

Some Windows Users Find Search Highlights Annoying

Although Search highlights feature is interesting and provides useful information to the user but many users may not like this small addition. Sometimes the icon or image displaying inside the Search box might become distracting for the user and frequent changes of these images might start annoy the user.

Some people like minimal and clean things and the addition of extra icons/images to the Search box might not please those users.

Getting Rid of Search Highlights in Windows 10 and Windows 11 (Easy Way)

Fortunately Microsoft has provided ways to disable and remove Search highlights feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems.

There are multiple ways to get rid of Search highlights feature.

For Windows 10 Users:

Turning off Search highlights feature is very simple for Windows 10 users. Just right-click on Taskbar, click on Search menu and uncheck or deselect “Show search highlights” option.

It’ll immediately disable Search highlights icons/images inside the Search box.

For Windows 11 Users:

If you are using Windows 11 operating system, you’ll need to follow a few extra steps as the Taskbar in Windows 11 is very restricted and doesn’t provide any extra options in its context menu except Taskbar settings.

In Windows 11, Search highlights can be disabled using Settings app as mentioned in following steps:

Press WIN+I keys together to launch Settings app. You can also open Settings app from Start Menu.

Now click on “Privacy & Security” section in left-side pane and then click on “Search Permissions” option in right-side pane.

On Search permissions page, scroll down and you’ll get a new option “Show search highlights” present under More Settings section. Set the option to OFF using the toggle button given below “See content suggestions in the search box and in search home” option.

It’ll disable Search highlights feature in Windows 11.

Completely Disable and Remove Search Highlights in Windows 10 and Windows 11 (Pro)

You can also take help of Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor to completely and permanently deactivate Search Highlights feature in Windows 10 and 11.

This method can be used by experts and advanced users. Once you follow this method, it’ll completely remove Search highlights feature and users will not be able to enable/disable it using Taskbar context menu or Settings app.

Disable Search Highlights in Windows 10 and 11 Using Group Policy Editor

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type gpedit.msc and press Enter. It’ll open Group Policy Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

3. In right-side pane, look for following option:

4. Double-click on the option and select Disabled option.

Click on Apply and OK buttons.

That’s it. It’ll immediately disable and remove the Search highlights feature from the Search box on Windows Taskbar and Start Menu.

PS: In future, if you decide to restore Search highlights feature in Windows 10 or 11, set the above mentioned option to Default in Group Policy Editor.

Disable Search Highlights in Windows 10 and 11 Using Registry Editor

If you are using Home edition of Windows 10 or 11, you’ll not be able to run gpedit.msc command because this edition doesn’t come with Group Policy Editor.

If you can’t use or don’t want to use Group Policy Editor, you can take help of Registry Editor for the same task. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type regedit and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

3. Select Windows key and right-click on it and select New -> Key option. Set the new key name as Windows Search

PS: Some devices may already have Windows Search key present in Registry.

4. Now select Windows Search key and in right-side pane, right-click on empty area and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

5. Set the new DWORD name as EnableDynamicContentInWSB and set its value to 0 to disable Search highlights feature.

Close Registry Editor.

You’ll need to restart computer or restart Explorer to apply changes.

After restart, you’ll no longer see Search highlights icons/images inside the Search box.

PS: In future, if you decide to restore Search highlights feature, delete the above mentioned DWORD from Registry Editor.

Another Registry Method to Turn Off Search Highlights in Windows 10 and 11

If above mentioned Registry method doesn’t work for you. Try following:

1. Go to following key in Registry Editor:

2. In right-side pane, right-click on empty area and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

3. Set the new DWORD name as IsDynamicSearchBoxEnabled and set its value to 0 to disable Search highlights feature.

Close Registry Editor and restart Explorer or your computer to take effects.

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