[Tip] Restore Immersive Floating Search Bar in Windows 10 (Sort of)

In this article, we’ll tell you a new way to get a floating Search box on screen in your Windows 10 device. You can launch the Search box any time on screen by pressing desired hotkey and can search for any term. This floating search box can be moved (dragged and dropped) anywhere on screen.

Last year, we shared a registry tweak to activate and enable a hidden secret Immersive Search bar UI in Windows 10 operating system. The new Search box or Search bar used to appear at the center of screen and could be moved anywhere on screen. You can learn more about the secret Immersive Search bar UI in following article:

[Tip] Enable Hidden Secret Immersive Search Bar UI in Windows 10

Unfortunately the secret Search bar UI started causing issues in recently released Windows 10 version 2004 (May 2020 Update). If the users activate the secret Search bar UI, it causes problems to Start Menu. Start Menu stops working and users can’t select and launch programs.

We addressed the problem in following article:

[Fix] Start Menu Not Working in Windows 10 May 2020 Update Version 2004

So latest Windows 10 version users can’t enjoy the hidden secret Immersive Search bar UI anymore.

Now here is a good news. If you really want to bring back Immersive and floating Search bar UI in newer versions of Windows 10, there is a workaround to restore it.

Thanks to our readers “Sid” and “Gaurav Sahare” for sharing this tip.

Actually the official PowerToys utility for Windows 10 comes with a tool called “PowerToys Run” which can help you in restoring Immersive floating Search bar UI in Windows 10 (sort of).

PowerToys Run is a quick launcher tool which helps you search and launch your favorite apps and programs instantly.

Following screenshot shows PowerToys Run in action in Windows 10 device:

If you also want to enjoy Immersive Search bar UI in new Windows 10 versions, following steps will help you:

STEP 1:

First of all download and install official PowerToys utility for Windows 10 using following article:

Download Official Microsoft PowerToys for Windows 10

STEP 2:

Launch PowerToys, go to PowerToys Run tab and set the toggle button given below “Enable PowerToys Run” option to ON i.e. enable the option to activate PowerToys Run tool.

STEP 3:

Now press ALT+Space bar keys together and you’ll get the Immersive Search bar UI back in Windows 10.

Start typing anything and Windows 10 will show search suggestions.

The Search bar is floating so you can drag-n-drop i.e. move it anywhere on your computer screen.

Press ESC key to close Search bar.

BONUS TIP:

You can customize and change the default hotkey ALT+Space to launch Immersive Search bar.

Open PowerToys, go to PowerToys Run tab and under Shortcuts section, click on “Alt + Space” text box and type any desired keyboard shortcut. The changes are instant and you can use your new keyboard shortcut to launch new Search bar.

Also Check:

[Tip] Restore Old Classic Search Box in Windows 10 File Explorer (This PC)

[Review] New Updated Search Box in File Explorer in Windows 10

[Bug Fix] Search Box in Windows 10 File Explorer Stuck or Not Responding