How to Remove Bing Web Results from Windows Start Search

What Causes This?

Windows Start search is tied to Microsoft Search and can send queries to Bing by default. That means local searches in the Start menu may also show web results, suggestions, and online content. On some systems, this behavior is controlled by Windows settings, while on others it may require changing a registry value if the normal toggle is missing.

Common Symptoms

• Start menu searches show Bing or web results mixed with apps and files
• Typing a local file or program name opens online suggestions instead
• Search history or cloud content appears in Start search
• There is no obvious setting in Windows to turn web results off
• Search feels cluttered or slower than expected

How to Fix It Manually

1. Turn off cloud content in Search permissions

   1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   2. Go to Privacy & security > Search permissions.
   3. Scroll to Cloud content search.
   4. Turn Microsoft account and Work or School account Off if they are enabled.
   5. Scroll down and turn Search history on this device Off if you do not want Windows storing local search history.

2. Disable Search highlights

   1. In Settings, go to Privacy & security > Search permissions.
   2. Scroll to More settings.
   3. Turn Show search highlights Off.
   4. This does not fully remove Bing web results on every system, but it reduces online content in search.

3. Use the registry to disable Bing web results

   1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, then press Enter.
   2. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
   3. In Registry Editor, go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
   4. If the Explorer key does not exist:
      • Right-click Windows
      • Select New > Key
      • Name it Explorer
   5. Right-click the right pane and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
   6. Name it DisableSearchBoxSuggestions.
   7. Double-click it and set Value data to 1.
   8. Click OK.

4. Restart Windows Search

   1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   2. Find Windows Explorer in the Processes tab.
   3. Right-click it and choose Restart.
   4. If Start search still shows web results, restart your PC.

5. Optional: clear existing search history

   1. Go back to Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions.
   2. Scroll to History.
   3. Click Clear device search history.

6. Check the result

   1. Open the Start menu.
   2. Search for a local app or file.
   3. Results should now focus on installed apps, settings, and local files instead of Bing suggestions.

If you ever want to undo this change, return to the same registry location and either delete DisableSearchBoxSuggestions or set its value to 0.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

Kudu can check your Windows search settings and apply the registry fix automatically, so you do not have to dig through Registry Editor yourself. It is a faster and safer option if you want to remove Bing web results, reduce search clutter, and keep Start menu searches focused on your PC.

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