How to Manage Microsoft Edge Desktop Search Bar in Windows 11

Launch Edge Desktop Search Bar

You can launch the Microsoft Edge search bar 🔍 on your Windows 11 desktop to run web searches quickly without opening the full browser. To set it up, open Microsoft Edge, click the Settings ⚙️ and more button made of three horizontal dots in the top right corner, and select the search bar option from the menu to place the widget directly on your desktop.

Review the steps below to complete the setup.

First, open the Microsoft Edge browser.

Click the Settings and more button (represented by three horizontal dots, or press Alt+F) in the top-right corner. From the menu that appears, select More tools, then choose Launch search bar 🔍.

The Edge desktop search bar 🔍 appears on screen.

If the search bar becomes hidden behind other windows, bringing it back to the front requires a specific keyboard shortcut.

Press the Win + Shift + F keys.

Close the desktop search bar

You can close the Microsoft Edge search bar from your desktop whenever you no longer want it on your screen. To remove the tool, click the three-dot menu button directly on the search bar widget, select 'Close search bar' from the drop-down menu, and click the Yes button when the prompt asks you to confirm your choice.

To do that, click the Settings and more (3 dots) button on the desktop search bar. Then, click "Close search bar" on the context menu.

When prompted, click the Yes button to confirm.

Launch the Edge search bar at startup

You can set the Microsoft Edge search bar to open automatically every time you turn on your computer and log in to Windows 11. To turn this on, click the three-dot menu button on the search bar widget, select 'Auto-launch search bar' from the list, and make sure a check mark appears next to the option.

To do that, click the Settings and more (3 dots) button on the desktop search bar. Then, select "Auto-launch search bar" from the text menu.

A check mark appears next to "Auto-launch search bar," indicating the feature is active. Clicking it again removes the check mark and disables auto-launch.

That completes the setup process.

Conclusion:

Managing this search bar helps streamline your daily workflow.

• Easy Launching: You can quickly access the Edge search bar from your desktop, saving time when searching the web.
• Customizable Position: The search bar can be dragged anywhere on your desktop, allowing for personalized placement.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Use Win + Shift + F to bring the search bar to the front if it gets hidden.
• Simple Closing: Easily close the search bar when not in use via the context menu.
• Auto-launch Feature: Set the search bar to launch automatically at startup for consistent accessibility.
• User-Friendly: The interface is designed to be intuitive, making it easy for users to manage their search needs efficiently.

Overall, the Edge desktop search bar provides a convenient method for streamlining web searches directly from the desktop.