By default, Windows searches the Internet when you click the Search Icon on your Desktop.
This consumes a lot of resources and can cause lag in your Windows Performance.
To stop this from happening, perform the following action.
[Method 1: Registry Editor (All Windows Versions)]This method involves creating a new registry key to block web suggestions.
- Open Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
- Navigate to: HKEY CURRENT USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.
- Create 'Explorer' Key: Right-click Windows, select New > Key, and name it Explorer.
- Create DWORD: Right-click the new Explorer key, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it DisableSearchBoxSuggestions.
- Edit Value: Double-click DisableSearchBoxSuggestions and set the Value Data to 1.
- Restart: Restart your computer to apply the changes.
[Method 2: Local Group Policy (Windows Pro/Enterprise)]If you are using Windows Pro, you can use the Group Policy Editor for a more direct approach.
- Open Policy Editor: Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
- Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
- Disable Web Search: Double-click Do not allow web search and set it to Enabled.
- Disable Web Results: Double-click "Don't search the web or display web results" in Search, then set it to Enabled.
- Restart: Restart your PC.
[Method 3: Disable Search Highlights ]To stop Bing-related search suggestions and news from showing within the search menu, do the following:
- Click the Taskbar Search icon.
- Click the three dots (...) at the top right.
- Go to Search Settings.
- Toggle Show Search Highlights to OFF.