Why Does Windows Search the Web?
In Windows 10, the search bar in the Start Menu is designed to be a universal search tool. When you type in a query, Windows first searches your local hard drive for files and installed applications. However, if it doesn’t find a perfect match locally, it immediately sends your query to Microsoft’s Bing search engine and displays web results directly inside the Start Menu.
For many users, this is incredibly frustrating. If you misspell an application name or search for a deeply buried local file, the Start Menu suddenly populates with random Bing web pages and Edge browser suggestions. Furthermore, sending every local file search query to Microsoft’s servers is a privacy concern. You can disable this web integration and force the Start Menu to only search your local computer.
How to Disable Bing Web Search in the Start Menu
To completely disconnect the Start Menu from Bing, you must modify the Windows Registry. (Note: Always be careful when editing the registry).
- Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialogue box.
- Type
regeditand press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control. - In the left-hand navigation pane, follow this exact path:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows
- Right-click on the “Windows” folder, select New > Key, and name it exactly Explorer. (If “Explorer” already exists, simply click on it).
- With the “Explorer” key selected, right-click in the empty space in the right-hand pane. Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name this new value exactly DisableSearchBoxSuggestions.
- Double-click your new “DisableSearchBoxSuggestions” value and change the “Value data” from
0to 1. - Click OK.
To apply the changes, either restart your computer or open Task Manager, find “Windows Explorer,” and click “Restart.” When you next type in the Start Menu, you will only see local files and apps—no Bing web results.