How to Disable Web Search Results in the Windows 11 Start Menu

The Frustration of Bing Integration

In Windows 11, the search bar inside the Start Menu is designed to search both your local computer and the entire internet simultaneously. If you type the word “word,” Windows might correctly suggest the local Microsoft Word application. However, if you type slightly too fast and misspell it as “wird,” Windows will instantly connect to Bing, execute a web search, and populate your Start Menu with useless internet search results and trending news articles. For power users who simply want to find a local PDF file or open the Control Panel, this internet integration is slow, distracting, and violates local privacy. Unfortunately, Microsoft removed the easy toggle switch to turn this off, forcing you to modify the Registry.

How to Disable Web Search via the Registry Editor

Warning: Modifying the Windows Registry can cause system instability if done incorrectly. Follow these steps exactly.

1. Click the Start Menu, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Click “Yes” on the administrator prompt.
2. In the address bar at the very top of the Registry Editor, copy and paste the following path and press Enter:
3. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
4. Note: If the “Explorer” folder does not exist, right-click the “Windows” folder, select New > Key, and name it Explorer.
5. Click on the Explorer folder so it is highlighted.
6. Right-click anywhere in the empty white space on the right side of the window.
7. Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
8. Name this new value exactly: DisableSearchBoxSuggestions
9. Press Enter to save the name.
10. Double-click your new DisableSearchBoxSuggestions entry.
11. In the “Value data” box, change the number 0 to 1.
12. Click OK.

The Clean Start Menu

Close the Registry Editor. To force Windows to recognize the change, you must restart your computer (or restart the Windows Explorer process via the Task Manager). Once you reboot, open the Start Menu and search for a random string of letters. The menu will simply state “No results found.” It will never connect to Bing again, ensuring your local searches are lightning-fast and completely private.