How to Manage Microsoft Edge Desktop Search Bar in Windows 11
The Microsoft Edge desktop search bar in Windows 11 lets you control how you search the web and quickly get to your favorite sites.
This search bar is a small tool that sits on your Windows 11 desktop. It gives you fast access to Bing searches and shortcuts to websites you visit often, without needing to open the Edge browser first.
You can turn this feature on and move it around your screen. For instance, you might drag it to the top of your display for easy access while using other apps.
Access the Edge desktop search bar settings within the Edge browser. Open Edge, click the three-dot menu, select More tools, then Launch search bar to display it. You can close it or set it to auto-launch from its own three-dot menu.
Launch Edge Desktop Search Bar
You can put the Microsoft Edge search bar right on your Windows 11 desktop to quickly search the web without opening the full browser. To make it appear, first open Microsoft Edge. Then, click the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window and choose the search bar option.
Here’s how to do it.
First, open the Microsoft Edge browser.
Your Edge desktop search bar will then appear.
Press the Win + Shift + F keys.
Close the desktop search bar
Closing the Microsoft Edge desktop search bar is easy when you’re done using it. Just find the three dots on the search bar itself and click them. A small menu will pop up, and you can then select ‘Close search bar’ to remove it from your screen.
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
Want the Microsoft Edge search bar to be ready as soon as you turn on your computer? You can set it to launch automatically. To do this, simply click the three dots on the search bar itself. From the menu that shows up, pick ‘Auto-launch search bar’ so it’s there when you log in.
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 it’s turned on. Clicking it again removes the check mark and disables auto-launch.
That should do it!
Conclusion:
You can make your browsing experience in Windows 11 much smoother by managing the Microsoft Edge desktop search bar. Here are the key takeaways:
- 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 way to streamline your web searching process directly from your desktop.
How do I change the search bar in Edge?
Go to Privacy, search, and services. Then, select Search and connected services, followed by Address bar and search. Finally, choose your preferred search engine from the Search engine used in the address bar menu.
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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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