[Tip] Remove Search Box from Windows 11 Taskbar

If you upgraded to new version of Windows 11 and you noticed a huge Search box added to the Taskbar, this article will help you in removing it.

The latest version of Windows 11 i.e. (Windows 11 22H2 Moment 2 Update) comes with a typable Search box added to the Taskbar near the Start button. Users can click inside the search box and type desired text to search for it.

The new search box launches AI-powered Bing search fly-out as shown in following screenshot:

In past, the search box was not typable. Users could click on the search box and the opened search fly-out allowed users to type the search query. So the search box on the Taskbar was not real.

Now Microsoft has added a real working search box on Windows 11 Taskbar. Although it’s a nice addition but many Windows 11 users may not like it. If you disabled or removed the search box or search icon from the Taskbar in past, the new update automatically adds the new search box again on the Taskbar.

Fortunately, Microsoft has provided an option to customize or remove the search box from the Taskbar. You can change the search box to previous small search box, a simple search icon or completely get rid of the search box using Taskbar settings.

Following image shows different results which you can achieve by following this article:

If you also want to disable or remove the new search box from Windows 11 Taskbar or want to restore previous small search box or tiny search icon (magnifying glass), following steps will help you:

1. Right-click on empty area in Taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings” option. It’ll open Taskbar settings page.

Alternatively, you can open the same page using Settings app from Start Menu or by pressing WIN+I keys together and then go to “Personalization -> Taskbar” section.

2. On Taskbar settings page, you’ll see Search option present under Taskbar items section at the top of the page. There is a drop-down box given next to Search option.

Click on the drop-down box and you’ll be able to choose any of following available options:

• Hide
• Search icon only
• Search icon and label
• Search box

To completely remove the search box from the Taskbar, select Hide option.

If you want to show a simple magnifying glass icon for Search on Taskbar, select Search icon only option.

If you want to get back the dummy search box on the Taskbar, select Search icon and label option.

The Search box option is the default which displays the new large typable search box on the Taskbar.

What do you think about the new search box added to Windows 11 Taskbar? Feel free to share your opinion in comments section.

Also Check:

Disable or Remove Extra Icons and Buttons from Windows 11 Taskbar

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[Tip] Disable Search Highlights in Windows 10 and 11