If Bing keeps popping up on your Windows 11 taskbar — yeah, that little search box with the Bing logo — you’re not the only one. Microsoft keeps churning out updates that sometimes turn it back on even after you’ve tried to get rid of it. Fair dinkum, it can be bloody annoying. Anyway, here’s a simple way to finally kick it out and tidy up your taskbar.
How to Remove Bing from Your Taskbar on Windows 11
The main thing is to fiddle with some settings, and if that doesn’t do the trick, you might have to muck around with the registry or Group Policy. Why? Well, because Windows is keen to re-enable Bing with updates or if you didn’t disable it completely. Here’s what actually works (most of the time).
Method 1: Dive into Settings
This one’s pretty straightforward. Head into Settings, then go to Personalisation, and flick over to Taskbar. Just a warning — how it looks depends on your Windows build. Sometimes, you’ll see options called “Search,” “Search box,” or “Search Highlights.” If there are any Bing-related toggles, switch ’em off.
Sometimes, you’ll see options like “Show search highlights” or “Show search box” — turning those off can stop Bing from showing up. But don’t expect miracles — Microsoft often hides these options away where you’d least expect. After you toggle ‘em off, it’s a good idea to restart File Explorer. How? Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find “Windows Explorer,” right-click, then choose Restart. This refreshes your taskbar without having to reboot the whole PC.
Heads up: On some setups, the Bing icon sticks around no matter what. That’s when you need to get a bit more serious — like editing the registry or Group Policy. But don’t sweat it — this setting often does the trick for most folks.
Method 2: Use Group Policy Editor (Only on Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise)
Because, of course, Windows has to make things tricky. If the first method doesn’t cut it, try this:
- Hit Win + R, type
gpedit.msc, and press Enter. - Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
- Look for a setting called “Allow Search and Explorer” or “Don’t search Windows” — names might vary depending on your build.
- Set it to Disabled. That should block Bing search from sneaking in more aggressively.
- Close the editor and restart File Explorer again (Ctrl + Shift + Esc, right-click “Windows Explorer,” then choose Restart).
*Why it works*: These policies basically tell Windows not to load certain search features, including Bing. It’s a more permanent fix — at least until you or Windows do another update that resets it all.
*When to try this*: Mainly if the basic settings don’t hold or Bing keeps coming back after a reboot.
*What to expect*: The Bing icon and search suggestions should vanish from your taskbar, leaving only what you want showing up.
Heads up: On some machines, the Group Policy way can be overkill or the policies might not show up. Not every version supports it, and updates can reset the policies. If that happens, registry tweaks might help — but they’re a bit riskier, so proceed with caution.
Method 3: Tweak the Registry (More Advanced)
If the above options don’t do the trick and you’re comfortable editing the registry, you can give this a go. Open the Registry Editor (Win + R, type regedit) and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search.
Look for values like BingSearchEnabled or AllowSearchToUseWeb. Change their data to 0 to turn off Bing integration. But remember — always back up the registry first. One wrong move can mess with your PC.
Because Windows can be a bit of a pain, you might find that updates reset these settings. You’ll need to keep an eye on it.
After making changes, restart File Explorer again (Ctrl + Shift + Esc, right-click “Windows Explorer,” then hit Restart) and see if Bing has finally buggered off.
Tips for Removing Bing from Your Windows 11 Taskbar
- Check all taskbar and search options — you never know what’s hiding in the settings.
- Stay alert for Windows updates — they might re-enable Bing, so you may need to do these steps again.
- If you’re really stuffed, you can try restoring default taskbar icons via PowerShell or third-party programs, but be careful.
- Back up your system or create a restore point before tweaking the registry or group policies — better safe than sorry.
- If you’re into it, use tools like TaskbarX or other third-party apps to customise your taskbar further if the native options aren’t cutting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Bing on my taskbar in Windows 11?
Microsoft’s added Bing to make searching from the taskbar easier — it’s quick for web searches. But for some blokes and sheilas, it’s just a bit of clutter or an annoyance.
Will removing Bing stop me from searching online?
Nah, you’ll still be able to browse the web and use your favourite search engines. Removing Bing just takes it off the taskbar.
Do I need to restart my PC after removing Bing?
Not usually — restarting File Explorer from Task Manager does the job. If not, a full reboot might be needed.
Can Bing come back if I change my mind?
Too right. Just revisit the settings or group policies and turn it back on — easy as. Microsoft sometimes makes it a bit fiddly, but there’s always a way.
Is having Bing on the taskbar actually handy?
For some, it’s a quick shortcut to search. But if you wanna keep things tidy or prefer other browsers and search engines, it can be a bit of a pain.
Summary
- Check your Settings for taskbar and search options.
- Turn off Bing-related toggles and restart File Explorer.
- If it’s still hanging around, try Group Policy or registry edits.
- Be careful — back up first before making big changes.
- Keep an eye on Windows updates — they can sometimes bring Bing back.
Honestly, it’s a bit odd how stubborn Windows is about Bing, but these tricks usually do the trick for most setups. Hope this helps, mate!