Windows 11 Taskbar: What is the Search Feature

Finding What You Need with Windows Search

Windows Search on your taskbar is a built-in tool that helps you quickly find apps, files, settings, and even web results without opening a browser.

Using the Search Box on Your Taskbar

1. Look for 🔍 the Search Box: You’ll usually see a 🔍 search box right on 🖥️ your taskbar, often next to the ⊞ Start button. If you don’t see a box, you might see a magnifying glass icon.
2. Start Typing: Just click in 🔍 the search box (or on the icon) and start typing what you’re looking for. As you type, Windows will show you a list of suggestions. These can be apps, documents, settings, or even web results pulled from Microsoft Bing.
3. Select Your Result: Click on the item you want from the list, and Windows will either open the app, file, or setting, or take you to the web search result.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut

You can open the Windows taskbar search quickly using your keyboard by pressing the Windows key and the S key at the same time.

1. Press the Keys: Press the Windows key + S on your keyboard at the same time.
2. Type and Select: This will bring up the same 🔍 search box you see 🖥️ on the taskbar. Type your query and select your result just like you would from the taskbar itself.

Searching from the Start Menu

Searching from the Windows 11 Start menu is simple: just open the Start menu by clicking its icon or pressing the Windows key, and then start typing your search query.

1. ⊞ Open Start: Click the ⊞ Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Start Typing: As soon as the ⊞ Start menu opens, you can begin typing your search query. Results will appear in the Start menu window.
3. Choose Your Item: Click on the result you want to open.

Customizing How Search Appears

You can change how the search feature looks on your Windows 11 taskbar, choosing between a full search box or just a magnifying glass icon, by going into Taskbar settings.

1. Right-Click 🖥️ the Taskbar: Find an empty spot on 🖥️ your taskbar and 🖱️ right-click on it.
2. Select Taskbar Settings: A menu will pop up. Choose “Taskbar settings.”
3. Find Taskbar Items: In 🖥️ the Taskbar settings window, look for a section called “Taskbar items.”
4. Configure Search: You’ll see an option for “Search.” Click the dropdown menu next to it. You have a few choices:

   • 🔍 Search box: This shows the full text box where you can type.
   • Search icon and label: This displays a small magnifying glass icon with the word “Search” next to it.
   • Search icon only: This shows just the magnifying glass icon.
   • Hide: This will completely remove 🔍 the search feature from 🖥️ your taskbar.

Practical Tip: If you search often, keeping the “Search box” visible is the quickest way to find your results. If you’re trying to save space or prefer using the keyboard shortcut (Windows key + S), then “Search icon only” or even “Hide” might be better for you.

Warning: If you choose to “Hide” the search feature, remember you’ll need to use the keyboard shortcut (Windows key + S) or the Start menu to search. Make sure you’re comfortable with those methods before hiding the taskbar option!

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/customize-the-taskbar-in-windows-0657a50f-0cc7-dbfd-ae6b-05020b195b07#windowsversion=windows_11

Conclusion

Mastering the taskbar search means you’ll spend less time hunting for files and apps, and more time using them. Experiment with the different display options to find what feels most natural for your daily computer use. Happy searching!