Disable Microsoft Edge Search Bar in Windows 11
Disabling the Microsoft Edge Desktop Search Bar in Windows 11 removes the web search widget from your desktop.
This search bar is a small tool letting you search the web or open websites directly from your Windows 11 screen. While some find it useful, many prefer a cleaner desktop without it.
This feature has appeared in Windows 11 builds like 22H2 and later. You can remove it using the Windows Registry Editor, which is a powerful tool for changing Windows settings.
Open the Windows Registry Editor and navigate to the specified Edge key. Create a new DWORD value named SearchbarAllowed and set its data to 0 to disable the search bar. A reboot may be required for the changes to take effect.
Disable the Edge search bar
Disabling the Microsoft Edge search bar in Windows 11 is accomplished by changing a setting within the Windows Registry. This guide details how to locate the correct registry key and add a new value to turn off the search bar, contributing to a cleaner browser appearance.
First, open the Windows Registry and navigate to the following folder key path.
A new Registry entry will be created for Microsoft Edge. Right-click within the right-hand pane of the Registry Editor and select New, then DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this new DWORD entry SearchbarAllowed to control the search bar’s behavior.
The SearchbarAllowed registry value governs the Microsoft Edge search bar. Double-click SearchbarAllowed and change its value to 0 to disable the Edge search bar in Windows 11, preventing the search bar from appearing on your taskbar.
If you want to re-enable the Edge search bar later, delete the SearchbarAllowed value.
SearchbarAllowed
WebWidgetAllowed
A system reboot might be necessary for the changes to take effect.
That should do it!
Conclusion:
Disabling the Microsoft Edge Desktop Search Bar in Windows 11 is done through the Windows Registry. Here’s a recap:
- Access the Registry: Open the Windows Registry Editor and navigate to the appropriate key path.
- Create a DWORD: Right-click on the Edge folder and create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named
SearchbarAllowed. - Set the Value: Change the value of
SearchbarAllowedto0to disable the search bar. - Delete Values to Re-enable: If you wish to enable the search bar again, delete the
SearchbarAllowedandWebWidgetAllowedvalues. - Reboot Required: A system reboot may be necessary for the changes to take effect.
By following these steps, the functionality of the Edge search bar can be managed to suit your preferences, allowing for its disablement if it proves to be distracting.
How do I remove the brown box on the Microsoft Edge icon?
A brown box over your Windows Desktop icons can be caused by an issue with Windows Explorer. Restart Windows Explorer: Press Windows key + E. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and select Task Manager.
How do I deactivate the Windows Search bar?
Type services.msc in the search bar at the top of the Start menu. Click ‘Services’ in the list of results. The Windows Services window will open, displaying a list of all services available to run on your computer.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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