How to Completely Disable ‘Search Highlights’ via Group Policy in Windows 11

Windows 11 features a dynamic component within the Start Menu and Taskbar Search interface known as “Search Highlights.” When you click the search bar, instead of seeing a clean, professional list of your recent files or applications, the right-hand pane is populated with rotating “daily content.” This includes Bing trending topics, historical “on this day” facts, word of the day definitions, and dynamic illustrations. In a corporate environment, this is highly distracting and unprofessional. It clutters the search interface with unnecessary internet queries and reduces the speed at which employees can locate local files.

This guide explains how to completely disable Search Highlights system-wide using the Group Policy Editor in Windows 11, restoring a clean, local-focused search experience.

Disable Search Highlights via Group Policy

To enforce a strict block on this web-based content injection that cannot be overridden by individual users, we must use an administrative template. Note that this requires Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.

1. Log into Windows 11 with an Administrator account.
2. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialogue box.
3. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
4. In the left-hand navigation pane, strictly follow this exact path:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search

5. In the right-hand pane, scroll down to locate the policy named Allow search highlights.
6. Double-click the policy to open its configuration window.
7. Select the radio button next to Disabled.
8. Click Apply, then click OK.

Verify the Clean Search Interface

To enforce the change immediately across the system without requiring a reboot, open an elevated Command Prompt and execute gpupdate /force.

To verify the restriction is active, click the Search icon (magnifying glass) on your Windows 11 Taskbar, or press the Windows Key + S. The massive, colorful pane on the right side of the search window that previously displayed Bing trending topics and illustrations will be completely gone. Instead, the search interface will be streamlined and professional, displaying only your “Top apps” and “Recent” local files, ensuring your desktop remains focused strictly on productivity.