To get rid of the search bar in Windows 11, right-click an empty part of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Under Taskbar items, open the drop-down menu next to Search and choose Hide. The search box disappears from the taskbar right away, and you can still search by pressing the Windows logo key and typing.
Applies to: Windows 11. No downloads or administrator rights needed. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 29, 2026.
Your options for the search bar
Windows 11 gives you four choices for search on the taskbar. Microsoft describes them like this:
- Hide: removes search from the taskbar completely.
- Search icon only: shows just a magnifying glass. It takes up the least room while keeping search one click away.
- Search icon and label: shows the magnifying glass with the word “Search.”
- Search box: shows a full text box you can type in. This is the default on many PCs.
If you want your taskbar space back but still like clicking to search, Search icon only is a good middle ground.
Hide the search bar
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. You can also go to Start > Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
- Under Taskbar items, find Search.
- Select the drop-down menu next to it and choose Hide.
The change happens right away. You don’t need to restart, and you can close Settings.
If your PC shows an On/Off switch next to Search instead of a drop-down, turn the switch Off. Older versions of Windows 11 used a switch, and newer versions use the drop-down.
Search without the search bar
Hiding the search bar doesn’t turn off Windows Search. You can still find apps, files and settings in these ways:
- Press the Windows logo key (or select Start) and start typing. Results appear as you type.
- Press Windows logo key + S to open the search window directly.
- In Settings, use the search box at the top to find a setting by name.
- In File Explorer, use the search box in the top-right corner to search the folder you’re in.
Free up more taskbar space
The same Taskbar items list has switches for other buttons. Turning them off gives you even more room:
- Task view: the button for switching between open windows and desktops. You can still press Windows logo key + Tab.
- Widgets: the weather and news button. You can still press Windows logo key + W.
You can also move your apps and the Start button to the left under Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar alignment. For more ideas, see how to customize the taskbar in Windows 11.
Turn off search highlights
If what bothers you is the pictures and suggestions inside the search window, rather than the bar itself, turn off search highlights:
- Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security.
- Select Search permissions.
- Under More settings, turn off Show search highlights.
The search window then shows your recent searches and top apps instead of daily highlights. On the same page, under History, you can turn off Search history on this device or select Clear device search history.
What about web results?
Windows Search shows web results from Bing alongside results from your PC. Windows 11 doesn’t have a simple on/off switch for web results in Settings. The methods you may see online use the Registry Editor or Group Policy, need administrator rights, and can cause problems if you make a mistake, so we don’t cover them here. If you mainly want to avoid the web, type a little more of the app or file name so the result on your PC appears at the top as Best match.
Bring the search bar back
- Right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
- Under Taskbar items, set Search to Search box, Search icon and label, or Search icon only.
If the search setting won’t change
- You see “Some of these settings are managed by your organization.” Your work or school controls this PC. Ask your IT department.
- Search is missing from Taskbar items. Check for updates in Settings > Windows Update, then look again.
- The search box came back after an update. Some updates reset taskbar settings. Repeat the steps above.
- The search box is still in the Start menu. That box is part of Start and can’t be removed. Only the taskbar search can be hidden.
- Search doesn’t find anything. Hiding the bar isn’t the cause. Restart the PC, and make sure the files are in a folder Windows indexes under Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows.
Frequently asked questions
Does hiding the search bar turn off Windows Search?
No. It only removes the box or icon from the taskbar. Search still works from Start and with Windows logo key + S.
Will hiding it make my PC faster?
Not noticeably. Windows keeps indexing files in the background either way, so searches stay fast.
Can I make the search box smaller instead of hiding it?
Yes. Choose Search icon only or Search icon and label in the Search drop-down.
Can I use Google in Windows Search?
Windows Search uses Bing for web results, and you can’t change that in Settings. You can make Google the search engine in your browser instead. See how to make Google the default search engine in Windows 11.
Does this change the search box in File Explorer?
No. File Explorer’s own search box stays where it is.
Can I hide the search bar for every user on the PC?
The taskbar setting applies to each account separately, so sign in to each account and change it there. On Pro and Enterprise editions, an administrator can also set it for everyone with Group Policy.
Next steps
To hide the whole taskbar until you need it, see how to hide the taskbar in Windows 11. Using Windows 10? See how to hide the search bar on the Windows 10 taskbar. Microsoft lists every taskbar option in Customize the Taskbar in Windows.
Related: how to add Google search to your Windows 11 desktop.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.