Microsoft is updating its Windows Search to include a new feature called ‘search highlights’, which shows trending topics and events. This feature can be enabled or disabled in Windows 11 by accessing the Settings app, then going to Privacy & security > Search settings and toggling ‘Show search highlights’. The feature provides increased personalisation for the user’s search experience.
This post shows students and new users steps to show or hide search highlights in Windows 11. Windows Search lets you search from your taskbar to find what you’re looking for, whether on your device, in the cloud, or on the web.
Microsoft will begin rolling out an update for Search in Windows that highlights exciting moments in time. This new feature is called search highlights. Right from the taskbar, when you search Windows Search will now discover what’s trending online, in the world, and your organization.
The search box in Start and Search will periodically update with content, including fun illustrations, that help you discover more, like holidays, anniversaries, and other exciting moments in time both globally and in your region.
You also have control over the search highlights experience; if you prefer not to see this, you can turn it off or back on in Settings > Privacy & security > Search settings and toggling “Show search highlights.”
How to enable or disable search highlights in Windows 11
As mentioned above, begin rolling out an update for Search in Windows called search highlights that will allow users to use Windows Search to discover what’s trending online, in the world, and your organization.
Below is how to enable or disable search highlights in Windows 11
Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. Everything can be done, from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows from its Settings app.
To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:

Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it.
Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. Click Privacy & security > Search permissions tile in Windows Settings to expand it.

On the Privacy & security > Search permissions settings pane, under More settings, toggle the button to On or Off.

You can close the Setting app.
That should do it!
Conclusion:
This post showed you how to turn search highlights on or off in Windows 11. Please use the comment form below if you find any errors above or have something to add.
How do I change the picture/topic of the search highlights. It keeps getting stuck on sports and I’d rather have something else.