How to Turn Microsoft Store Suggested Search Results on or off in Windows 11

Suggested search results 🔍 in the Microsoft Store show promoted apps and games in the Windows 11 taskbar search box 🔍 as you type. They turn the search panel into a quick way to find new software. If you would rather keep results limited to your own files, apps, and settings, you can turn the feature off at any time. You can also turn it back on later.

Option 1Turn Suggestions On or Off in Settings

The simplest way to turn Microsoft Store suggestions on or off is the Windows 11 Settings app ⚙️. The switch controls whether the search 🔍 box shows app ideas as you type. It works the same on Home and Pro, and you don’t need administrator rights for it.

1. Open Settings by pressing Win+I. The Settings ⚙️ window opens with a list of categories on the left.
2. On the left side, click Privacy & security. The privacy options appear on the right.
3. On the right side, click Search. On some Windows 11 builds this page is labelled Search permissions. It is the same page.
4. Find the Show suggested search results 🔍 section. Set the Microsoft Store suggestions option to On to see app suggestions, or Off to hide them.
5. Close the Settings ⚙️ window. The change applies right away. Open the search 🔍 box and type a few letters to check.

If you can’t find this option, your Windows 11 build may not show it on the Search 🔍 page, because Microsoft has moved and renamed these settings between updates. In that case, use the Registry Editor method below. To undo a change, return to the same page and flip the switch back.

Option 2Turn Suggestions On or Off Using the Registry Editor

It does the same thing as the Settings ⚙️ app. It is useful if the setting is missing from Settings, or if you want to apply the change across several computers. You will need administrator permissions.

In Registry Editor, click File › Export, choose a location, and save a copy before you change anything. You can double-click that file later to restore the old settings.

Microsoft Store suggested search results 🔍 control whether the Microsoft Store offers app suggestions while you type in Windows Search. Leaving them on helps you discover new apps and content. Turning them off reduces clutter and keeps results focused on your personal files and general web searches.

What happens when done? Restart the computer so the change takes full effect. If a restart isn't convenient, signing out and back in may be enough, but a restart is the sure way.

Turn On Microsoft Store Suggested Search Results

Use these steps to turn suggestions back on.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run box. Type regedit and press Enter. Click Yes if User Account Control asks for permission. Registry Editor opens.
2. Go to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings. You can paste the path into the address bar at the top of Registry Editor. If part of the path is missing, right-click the parent key, choose New › Key, and create it.
3. Right-click an empty area in the right-hand pane, select New, and then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value. A new value appears with its name ready to edit.
4. Name the new value IsStoreSuggestionsEnabled. If the value already exists, skip the creation and edit the existing one.
5. Double-click IsStoreSuggestionsEnabled. In the dialog, set Value data to 1 and click OK. The new data now shows in the Data column.
6. Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.

Turn Off Microsoft Store Suggested Search Results

Use these steps to turn suggestions off.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run box. Type regedit and press Enter. Click Yes if User Account Control asks for permission. Registry Editor opens.
2. Go to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings. If part of the path is missing, right-click the parent key, choose New › Key, and create it.
3. Right-click an empty area in the right-hand pane, select New, and then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value. A new value appears with its name ready to edit.
4. Name the new value IsStoreSuggestionsEnabled. If it already exists, edit that one instead.
5. Double-click IsStoreSuggestionsEnabled. In the dialog, set Value data to 0 and click OK.
6. Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.

To undo either change, repeat the steps with the other set of value data, or restore the registry backup you exported earlier.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Office/foundations-experiences/find-what-you-need-with-microsoft-search

Summary

You can manage Microsoft Store search suggestions from the Settings app or the Registry Editor. Settings is quicker and safer. The registry is the fallback when the option is missing or you need to repeat the change on several PCs. Either way, you decide whether the search box suggests apps.