Revolutionizing Your Windows Experience: Expert Tips for Customizing the Search Box
We’ve all been there – sitting in front of our Windows PC, frustrated by the default search box. Between the prominent Bing icon and limited customization options, it can feel like we’re trapped with an experience that doesn’t meet our needs. But what if we told you that doesn’t have to be the case?
In this post, we’ll walk through expert tips from tech-savvy Windows users for taking control of the search box and revolutionizing how you interact with Windows 11. From removing the Bing branding to enabling slick graphical icons, you’ll learn insider tricks for shaping the search box to work for you.
Ready for a search experience that’s truly personal? Let’s get started!
Eliminating the Bing Branding
One of the first things that can grind our gears about the default Windows 11 search box is the ever-present Bing logo stamped right in the middle. But just because Microsoft wants to push their search engine doesn’t mean we have to see it every time we start typing.
Luckily, the resourceful Windows community has already unlocked several techniques for liberating your search box from Bing branding. Here are some top recommendations from the experts:
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Disable Search Highlights– Right-click your taskbar, go to Search, and toggle off “Show search highlights.” This removes Bing icons from search.
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Edit the Registry– Open the Registry Editor, navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search, create a DWORD called “BingSearchEnabled,” and set its value to 0 to disable Bing integration. -
Use Group Policy Editor– Enable the “Do not allow web search” policy under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search to block Bing search in your search box.
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Delete the Bing Weather App– Uninstall the Bing Weather app through PowerShell or Command Prompt to prevent Bing branding from popping up.
Each approach accomplishes the same end goal of removing Bing from search. Try them out and see which solution integrates best into your workflow. And for even more flexibility, explore tools like CustomizerGod that give granular control over search box customization.
Infusing Personality Through Icons
Once you’ve eliminated the Bing branding, it’s time to infuse the search box with some personality! Windows 11 has a little-known feature for displaying graphical icons that reflect special events and holidays.
Let’s enable it:
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Open Search Permissions– Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Search Permissions.
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Turn on Search Highlights– Scroll down and enable “Show search highlights” under More Settings.
Once activated, your search box will dynamically change with fun icons like birthday cakes, footballs, and more! It breathes so much more life into the search experience.
Pro tip: If you aren’t seeing icons after enabling highlights, try manually triggering a refresh through Windows Update or rebooting your machine. The icons are refreshed on a periodic basis, so a restart can help snap things into place.
Further Customization Possibilities
Looking to take customization to the next level? Windows 11 offers additional options for tailoring search to suit your style:
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Alter Search Box Layout– Right-click your taskbar, choose Taskbar Settings > Search, and pick a new search box layout like icon-only.
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Disable Web Results– Uncheck “Search online and include web results” to limit search to local apps and files.
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Change Default Search Engine– Switch to Google, DuckDuckGo or any search engine you prefer instead of Bing.
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Utilize Third-Party Tools– Check out tools like Start11 for unlocking extra search box tweaks.
The Windows search box is like a blank canvas – with a bit of creativity, you can transform it into a personalized gateway for your digital world. Ditch the default experience and create a search box that works for you!
Our hope is this post has illuminated insider techniques for taking control of search in Windows 11. What customizations are you excited to try out? Which tips do you find most useful? Let us know in the comments!
