How to Change Windows 11 Taskbar Search Button Layout

This article describes changing the Search button layout on the Taskbar in Windows 11.

Windows Search is a built-in feature that allows you to search for documents and app settings from a particular folder or the entire PC.

The Windows Search box is automatically added to the Taskbar in Windows 11 by default. It is also the default Search layout when you install Windows 11.

Devices currently enrolled in the Microsoft Insider Preview program will see multiple search button layouts and settings. However, all devices may soon see the new Search button designs and should be able to change the settings.

There are multiple options for the Search box on the Taskbar. For example, users can display a Search icon only, a Search box, or a Search button, or completely hide the Search feature on the Taskbar.

Below is how to change or completely hide the Search box or button when using Windows 11.

Change the Search button design on Taskbar using the Settings app

As mentioned above, devices enrolled in the Microsoft Insider Preview program will see multiple search button designs and settings.

If your device has updated to the latest version of Windows, use the steps below to change the Search box layout.

First, open the Windows Settings app.

You can do that by clicking on the Start menu and selecting the Settings app. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut (Windows key + I) to launch the Settings app.

When the Settings app opens, click the Personalization button on the left.

On the right, click the Taskbar tile to expand.

On the Personalization -> Taskbar settings pane, under the Taskbar item, select the Search tile and choose the Seach layout to display on the Taskbar:

• Hide
• Seach icon only
• Search box (default)
• Search button

Change the Search box layout via Windows Registry Editor

If you want to change the Search box layout for all users on the machine, use the Windows Registry Editor.

Open the Windows Registry and navigate to the folder key path listed below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search

If you don’t see the Search folder key, right-click on the CurrentVersion key, then create the subkey (Search) folders.

On the right pane of the Search folder key, right-click and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Then, type a new key named SearchboxTaskbarMode.

Double-click the new value name (SearchboxTaskbarMode) and enter the Value data of 0 through 3 to choose the Search box mode to display on the Taskbar.

• 0 – Hide the search box
• 1 – Search icon only
• 2 – Search box (default)
• 3 – Search button

The option you choose will immediately be reflected on the Taskbar.

That should do it! You can now close the Registry Editor

Conclusion:

• Changing the Search box layout on the Taskbar in Windows 11 can be executed via the Settings app or Windows Registry Editor.
• Users can choose from multiple Search button designs, including options to display a Search icon only, a Search box, or a Search button, and completely hide the Search feature on the Taskbar.
• Those enrolled in the Microsoft Insider Preview program may encounter multiple Search button designs and settings, while all devices are expected to see the new Search button layouts soon.