Windows 11 introduced a centered taskbar design, aiming for a cleaner, more streamlined look. By default, a prominent Search box (or a Search icon with a label, depending on your version) sits right next to the Start button. While Microsoft intends for this to be your primary gateway to finding files and web results, many users find it completely unnecessary. If you prefer hitting the Windows key and simply typing to search, that large box is doing nothing but taking up valuable taskbar real estate that could be used for your favorite app shortcuts. Fortunately, Windows 11 allows you to easily remove it.
How to Remove the Search Box via Taskbar Settings
The quickest way to customize your taskbar is directly from the taskbar itself.
- Find an empty spot on your Taskbar (any area where there are no app icons).
- Right-click on that empty space.
- A small menu will pop up with a single option: Taskbar settings. Click it.
- This will open the Windows Settings app directly to the
Personalization > Taskbarpage. - Look at the very top section labelled Taskbar items.
- Find the row for Search.
- Next to “Search,” you will see a dropdown menu. Click it to reveal your options:
- Search box: The default, large text entry box.
- Search icon and label: A smaller pill-shaped button with the magnifying glass and the word “Search.”
- Search icon only: A simple magnifying glass icon, matching your other app icons.
- Hide: This completely removes the Search feature from the taskbar.
- Select Hide.
As soon as you select “Hide,” the Search box will instantly vanish from your taskbar, giving you a much cleaner look.
How Do I Search Now?
You might worry that removing the button removes the ability to search your computer. Do not worry; the core Windows Search functionality remains completely intact and is arguably faster to use without the button.
Whenever you want to search for an app, a file, or a setting, simply follow these two steps:
- Press the Windows Key on your keyboard (or click the Start button).
- Start typing immediately.
You do not need to click inside a specific box. The moment you type the first letter, the Start menu will automatically transform into the Search interface, working exactly as it did before.