How to Change Windows 11 Taskbar Search Button Layout

The Search button on your Windows 11 Taskbar helps you quickly find files, apps, and settings on your computer. Why would you want to change it? Maybe you prefer a cleaner look. Or perhaps you want just an icon instead of a full search box.

Windows Search is a built-in tool that lets you search your whole computer or specific folders. By default, Windows 11 shows a search box on the Taskbar. But you can change how it looks or even hide it completely if you want.

You can choose to show:

• Only a search icon
• A search box (the default)
• A search button
• Or hide the search feature completely

Some users in Microsoft’s Insider Preview program may see new search button styles. These options will be available to everyone soon.

Change the Search Button Style Using Settings

Here’s how to change or hide the Search box on your Taskbar in Windows 11. This method is simple and safe.

1. Open the Settings app. Click the Start menu (Windows icon) at the bottom-left of your screen. Then click Settings. Or press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings directly.

2. In Settings, click Personalization on the left side menu.

3. On the right, click Taskbar.

4. Scroll to the Taskbar items section. Find Search and click it.
5. Pick how you want the Search to look on your Taskbar:
   • Hide – No Search button shown
   • Search icon only – Just a small magnifying glass icon
   • Search box – A box where you can type your search (default)
   • Search button – A button style different from the box

What happens when you change the setting? Your Taskbar updates instantly. You’ll see your new Search style right away.

Change the Search Box Layout Using Registry Editor (Advanced)

⚠️ Admin privileges required for this method.

If you want to change the Search button style for all users on your computer, you can use the Windows Registry Editor. Be careful — editing the Registry can cause problems if done incorrectly. Only try this if you’re comfortable with advanced settings.

1. Open the Windows Registry Editor. Press Windows key + R. Type regedit and press Enter. You can also read how to open the Registry in Windows 11.
2. In the Registry Editor, go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search
3. If you do not see the Search folder under CurrentVersion, right-click CurrentVersion. Select New > Key and name it Search.

4. Click on the Search folder on the left.
5. On the right side, right-click in the empty space. Choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Name this new value SearchboxTaskbarMode.
7. Double-click SearchboxTaskbarMode and set its value to one of these numbers:
   • 0 – Hide the search box
   • 1 – Show search icon only
   • 2 – Show search box (default)
   • 3 – Show search button

8. After you set the value, the Taskbar will update right away. Close the Registry Editor when done.

What happens when you change the Registry value? Your Taskbar updates instantly with your new Search style choice.

Summary

You can change how the Search button looks on your Windows 11 Taskbar using the easy Settings app. For advanced users, the Registry Editor offers another way to make changes.

Your options include hiding the Search button, showing a small icon, displaying a search box, or showing a search button.

If you’re part of Microsoft’s Insider Preview program, you might see new styles coming soon.

If you want to learn more about the Search feature in Windows 11, check out this helpful guide: How to Search and Find Documents in Windows 11.