Windows 11 will soon have an option for removing web results from local search queries

[Alfonso Maruccia]

Something to look forward to: Searching local files should be one of the simplest and most basic features an operating system offers, but Windows 11 still makes the process unnecessarily awkward. However, that may soon change for the better.

During a recent meetup with Windows enthusiasts enrolled in the Windows Insiders program, Microsoft showcased several search-related changes that are expected to arrive in a future update to Windows. Redmond engineers are working on a set of relatively small features that could have a significant impact, starting with the ability to disable Bing integration in local Windows search.

One of the longest-standing complaints about Windows 11 is that it does not allow users to easily search only locally stored content from the Start menu. Instead, search results are often mixed with web content and even Microsoft Store listings, adding extra layers that many users find unnecessary when they are simply looking for files on their own device.

According to a recent confidential preview, Microsoft is expected to add a new option in the Settings app that disables web (Bing) integration in search. In addition, the "Privacy & security" section may also include an option to exclude Microsoft Store apps from search results.

Microsoft's decision to closely integrate Bing into Windows 11 has long been considered controversial among users. Power users have often resorted to workarounds, such as editing the Windows Registry, to reduce or remove web search integration from their PC experience, while Microsoft has continued efforts to expand Bing's role within the operating system.

Microsoft is now aiming to regain goodwill among Windows users, which could signal a shift away from pushing Bing integration on those who prefer not to use it. The new search customization options are expected to arrive in a future Windows 11 Insider preview build, although no specific timeline has been confirmed.

During the meetup, Microsoft also confirmed that local search will be significantly faster, along with improvements to the File Explorer shell. The company said bulk delete operations have already achieved a 30% performance improvement in internal Windows builds. The new search changes are expected to complement previously introduced speed and taskbar customization improvements.

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Windows 11 will soon have an option for removing web results from local search queries

 

[Hotdog1n]

Really? Imagine that.

 

[Endymio]

This has always existed ... I disabled this feature a couple years ago. The only change is that you can access it via a GUI switch rather than a registry edit.

 

[The Talking Tech]

Web results while in desktop Search has to be the absolute worst most counterproductive thing Microsoft ever came out with for Windows.

 

[Anton Longshot]

"Microsoft appears to answer users' complaints"...FIVE YEARS after the release of (P)OS Windows 11.
It's not just *too little too late* but they've pretended before to listen to user's complaints except that it was BS then and it's probably BS now.

As I said before, I have NO IDEA why they do this and why they decided user-hostility's a Good Strategy.
Besides myself an increasing number of people are walking out on them. As they're so reluctant to REALLY turn things around I think it's a real possibility I'll see Microsoft's demise in my lifetime.
I don't like it one bit. Sure I'll enjoy MacOS post-switch (may happen this month) but it's hard to forget I owe Microsoft for helping me to get into computing.

 

[Anton Longshot]

Web results while in desktop Search has to be the absolute worst most counterproductive thing Microsoft ever came out with for Windows.

I disagree for the simple reason I never use desktop search.
For me the absolute worst most counterproductive thing is folders that change view settings at random, which has been a thing since freaking Windows 1. Fixable but they don't GAF. I'll admit I enjoyed btching about this just now hehehe.

 

[p51d007]

Is this the Onion?
Since when does MS listen to its customers??

 

[toooooot]

Long have I waited

 

[zavrix]

This has always existed ... I disabled this feature a couple years ago. The only change is that you can access it via a GUI switch rather than a registry edit.

True but a lot of people wouldn't touch the registry editor because of fear of the unknown

 

[Rapob]

Always existed. Never had this in Windows. You must be an amateur if you don't know how to optimize and tweak Windows to your liking. Any Linux distro will need tweaking too. MacOS the same. No OS is perfect out of the box.

With 94% Windows marketshare on Steam and with Linux going back with 0.5% (huge when you only have 4%), Microsoft is in no trouble. I can't stop laughing when I see people claim that Windows users are flocking to Linux, even gamers. BS. Complete BS.

Reality is that NO serious gamers, streamers, pro gamers, wants to use Linux. Sens feel off, floating cursor, no anti cheat support, tons of games not working, Proton eats 5-25% perf on its own, due to being a comp. layer.

Steam Deck mostly runs old games and indies well. New demanding games, won't run good or at all. Hence the Steam Deck verification on Steam. Meanwhile 100% of the catalog will work on Windows.

The K2 plan will easily work, if Microsoft actually wants Windows to continue being the leading gaming platform. Latest 25H2 and patches already increased perf alot.

Game dev's have one focus: Windows, hence why game lists Windows as a requirement.
If the game starts in Linux, good for you, perf is probably reduced and you might crash due to Proton layer but if the game won't start or run, game dev won't care at all, and ask you to use Windows.

Nvidia/AMD/Intel, when it comes to consumer stuff, have 100% focus on Windows and pretty much don't even deliver drivers for Linux.

I giggle when people claim Linux is better for gaming. Complete BS.

Would I want Linux to put pressure on Microsoft, yes. Would love it but even Valve says we are years maybe decades away before Linux will be a decent alternative to Windows when talking games. So lets look at reality.

 

[Axeia]

Taskbar on the side, not including internet searches in the start menu.

Where's Microsoft getting these brilliant ideas from? Oh right the community that has been asking for it before Windows 11 even launched. Better late than never I suppose.

Now if you could let me disable 'recommended' in the start menu that'd be great too

 

[seeprime]

Microsoft has used so many tricks to get Bing search numbers up. None worked well. Microsoft managed to get 5% share worldwide, and over 10% in the US. That really sucks.

 

[alexnode]

Shall we be happy for fixing something totally wrong? For all the vide coding and whatnot ... just changing the control panel to a more modern version it takes about 15 years ... so far. Still a lot of panels to be created. I still can't forgive microsoft for windows 11, TPM2 and "bricking" millions of machines.