How to Enable or Disable Visual Search in Microsoft Edge

Why Use Visual Search?

Visual Search helps you discover more content online related to images you see while browsing. It’s handy when you want to find similar products, learn more about a picture, or explore related topics.

Method 1Turn Visual Search On or Off Using Browser Settings

What You’ll Need: Access to your Microsoft Edge browser settings.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge. Microsoft Edge browser

Step 2: Click the Settings and more button. This is the 3 horizontal dots icon in the top right corner. You can also press Alt+F on your keyboard.

Step 3: Select Settings from the menu that appears.

Step 4: Click Appearance on the left side panel.

Step 5: Look for the Hover menu section under 🖱️ Context menu. Click on it to expand the options.

Step 6: You’ll see a toggle switch for Show hover menu on image hover.

To turn Visual Search ON: Click the toggle switch so it moves to the right and turns blue.

To turn Visual Search OFF: Click the toggle switch so it moves to the left and turns gray.

Step 7: Your changes happen right away. Close and reopen Microsoft Edge to make sure everything works properly.

Method 2Turn Visual Search On or Off Using Windows Registry

⚠️ Admin Privileges Required: You need administrator access to edit the Windows Registry.

What You’ll Need: Access to the Windows Registry Editor. Only use this method if you’re comfortable working with the registry.

Step 1: Open the Windows Registry. You can type regedit in the Windows search bar and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to this folder path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

Step 3: If you don’t see an Edge folder, 🖱️ right-click on the Microsoft folder. Select New and then Key. Name it Edge.

Step 4: Right-click inside the Edge folder’s right pane. Select New and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 5: Type the name: VisualSearchEnabled

Step 6: Double-click the VisualSearchEnabled item you just created.

Step 7: Make sure the Base is set to Decimal. Then change the Value data:

To turn Visual Search ON: Type 1

To turn Visual Search OFF: Type 0

Step 8: Click OK to save your change.

Step 9: 🔄 Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Summary

Visual Search is a handy tool in Microsoft Edge that helps you find more information about images on websites. You can easily turn this feature on or off in two ways:

• Using Browser Settings: ⚙️ Go to Settings, click Appearance, find Hover menu, and toggle the switch. This is the easiest method for most users.
• Using Windows Registry: Edit the registry to change the VisualSearchEnabled value to 1 (on) or 0 (off). This method requires administrator access and is best for advanced users or IT professionals.

Both methods work equally well. Choose whichever method feels most comfortable for you. Your changes take effect either right away or after restarting your computer, depending on which method you use.