How to Enable or Disable Search Highlights in Windows 11
Search Highlights in Windows 11 displays engaging content like fun facts, trending topics, and upcoming holidays directly within your taskbar search box.
You can easily control whether this feature appears or not. This tutorial focuses on enabling or disabling Search Highlights, giving you full command over your search bar experience.
For example, Search Highlights might show you information about World Oceans Day or a quick fact about a historical event. You decide if you want this visual pop-up in your Windows 11 search.
Open Settings, then go to Privacy & security, and click Search. Toggle the “Show search highlights” option to On or Off. This will enable or disable Search Highlights for your account.
What Are Search Highlights?
Windows 11 Search Highlights are a feature that adds eye-catching images and interesting tidbits to your Windows search bar, helping you discover new content without changing how you normally search for apps or files.
Even with Search Highlights on, you can still type to find your apps, files, or settings. Nothing changes about how you search normally.
If you sign in with a work or school account, Search Highlights can also show helpful information from your organization. This includes files or contacts via Microsoft Search.
Note: If you don’t want to see these pictures and information, you can turn them off anytime using the steps below.
Turn Search Highlights On or Off for Yourself (Using Settings)
You can quickly turn Windows 11 Search Highlights on or off just for your own user account by using the simple Settings app on your PC.
- Press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings.
- Click Privacy & security on the left side.
- On the right, click Search. (Click here to open Search settings directly)
- Find the option called Show search highlights.
- Toggle the switch to On to enable Search Highlights, or Off to disable it .
- Close Settings when you’re done.
Turn Search Highlights On or Off for Everyone (Using Group Policy)
Computer administrators can turn Windows 11 Search Highlights on or off for all users on a PC using the Group Policy Editor tool.
Here’s how to do it:
- Press Windows key + R, type
gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor. - In the left panel, go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search
- In the right panel, double-click Allow search highlights.
- Choose one of these options:
- Not Configured – Use default settings.
- Enabled – Turn Search Highlights on for all users.
- Disabled – Turn Search Highlights off for all users.
- Click OK to save your choice.
- Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
What It Looks Like
Here are some pictures showing Search Highlights in action:
If you want to disable Search Highlights, you can also disable the Copilot and Web icons in Windows Search. This will turn off Search Highlights too.
Summary
Windows 11 Search Highlights add colorful pictures and useful facts to your search bar, and you can control them through Settings or Group Policy.More Resources
Search highlights coming to Windows 11 – Microsoft Community Hub
Search for anything, anywhere – Microsoft Support
Search Policy CSP – Microsoft Docs (for IT admins)
That’s it! Now you know how to turn Search Highlights on or off in Windows 11.
How do I enable search highlights in 🪟 Windows 11?
To manage search highlights with Group Policy on either Windows 10 or Windows 11, locate: Edit group policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search > Allow search highlights.
How to get search highlights?
Click the Start ⊞ button and select Settings ⚙. On the left sidebar find and go into Privacy & security. Click on Search permissions. Toggle Show search highlights to enable or disable search highlights.
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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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