Getting rid of the search bar on Windows 11
So, you’re keen to ditch the search bar on Windows 11? It’s not exactly rocket science, but it can feel that way at first! Microsoft tends to hide settings in the most random spots, so don’t be surprised if it takes a few goes to find your way around. If you prefer a cleaner desktop or just can’t stand the visual clutter, here’s how to do it.
First up, right-click anywhere on an empty spot on the taskbar and look for Taskbar settings. It should be at the bottom of the menu — but sometimes the menu takes its sweet time to pop up, especially if your PC’s a bit sluggish or your mouse is feeling overly sensitive.
Once you’re in the settings window, find the “Search” section. It’s usually on the left side — though, yeah, sometimes it seems like Microsoft puts things pretty much anywhere. In that section, you’ll see options like “Show search icon,” “Show search box,” and “Hidden.” Click on “Hidden,” and just like that, the search bar vanishes.
No need to restart or do anything fancy — the change happens straight away. Your desktop should look way tidier, which can make a surprising difference if you’re easily distracted. You might even notice it feels a bit snappier, since there’s less visual stuff to load.
If you’re comfortable with the command line, there’s also a way to remove the search app entirely with this command:
powershell -Command "Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Search | Remove-AppxPackage"But heads up — removing the app isn’t totally trivial; you’re messing with search functionality. If down the line you want it back, you’ll need to reinstall from the Microsoft Store or go through a system restore.
Basically, it’s just a matter of right-click ➝ taskbar settings ➝ find “Search” ➝ click “Hidden.” Easy as. Just remember, hiding it doesn’t mean you can’t search — the feature’s still there when you need it.
Things to Keep in Mind
While hiding the search bar is handy, consider whether you really need quick access to search all the time. Sometimes, just pressing Windows + S does the trick without making things look cluttered. Hiding it doesn’t turn off search — you’ll still be able to search your files or apps via shortcuts or the Start menu.
If you want a bit more control, you can change this setting in the registry too:
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v SearchboxTaskbarMode /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /fSet the value to 0 to hide the search box. To bring it back, change it back to 1 or delete the registry line altogether.
No worries about losing search features — hiding the bar doesn’t turn off Windows search. It still works through the Start menu and keyboard shortcuts. If the bar’s gone, just retrace those steps, and it’ll be back in a jiffy.
Removing icons or elements from the taskbar can make your system feel a bit quicker, too — fewer background processes or distractions, you know? It’s a small tweak, but often it makes a decent difference overall.
Common Questions
Can I get the search bar back anytime?
Absolutely! Just head into Taskbar settings and turn on either Show search icon or Show search box. Pretty straightforward — just flip the switch back. If you used the PowerShell command to hide it, you can run this to get it back:
powershell -Command "Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Search | Add-AppxPackage"and the search feature is good as new.
Does hiding the search bar mess up search functions?
No chance. Search still works like a charm — you can find files, apps, or get web results through the Start menu or simply hit Windows + S. Hiding the bar’s just a cosmetic thing; your search functionality stays intact.
Will hiding the search bar make my PC run any quicker?
Probably a tiny bit, but don’t expect miracles. Less visual clutter can help things feel smoother — fewer graphical elements to manage. The main benefit is a tidier desktop look, really.
What if I can’t find the taskbar settings?
Give that right-click another shot on an empty part of the taskbar. If the menu won’t come up, just press Windows + I to open Settings, then head to Personalisation > Taskbar. Sometimes Windows feels a bit like a maze — welcome to the club!
Any risks hiding the search bar?
Not really — it’s easy to undo and reversible. If you rely on the search bar for quick access, you might just need to get used to keyboard shortcuts instead.
- Right-click on the taskbar.
- Select Taskbar settings.
- Find the Search section.
- Choose Hidden.
- Close the settings window.
That’s all it takes. A few clicks, and your workspace looks a lot cleaner.
Tweaking the search bar on Windows 11 might be a small thing, but it can change how you use your desktop daily. Clearing out the clutter makes your workspace more focused, cuts distractions, and maybe even gives your system a tiny boost. The best part? The search feature’s still there — just a bit less in your face.
Whether you’re after a simpler setup, a snappier system, or just want it to look nicer, this little tweak’s worth a crack. And if you change your mind later, it’s dead easy to put everything back. Looking around at Windows options is like unboxing a new gadget — there’s always something interesting to discover!