In the ever-evolving landscape of operating systems, Windows 11 stands out with its plethora of new features, each designed to enhance user convenience. One such feature introduced by default is the display of recent search history. When you move your mouse cursor over the search button on the taskbar, your latest search queries come to the fore. While this can be a quick way to revisit recent searches, not everyone might appreciate this level of transparency. Perhaps you value discretion, or maybe you simply prefer a cleaner look. Whatever your reasons, there’s good news: You have the option to disable this recent search icon history. In this risewindows guide, we will meticulously walk you through the steps to toggle this feature on or off using either the Settings app or the Registry Editor in Windows 11. Whether it’s for reasons of privacy or aesthetics, read on to regain control over your taskbar search experience.
How to Enable or Disable Recent Search icon History in Windows 11 through the Settings app?
If you have decided to show or hide “Recent Search History” when you hover over the Windows 11 Search Icon in the Taskbar, then perform the following:-
First Method:
Step 1. Firstly, invoke the Settings by pressing Windows + I keys.
Step 2. Select the Personalization category from the left sidebar when Windows Settings appear on the screen.
Step 3. Then, on the right sidebar, click the Taskbar.
Step 4. After that, please scroll down to the bottom of the Taskbar settings page and click the Taskbar behaviors option to expand its contents.
Step 5. Finally, you’re at the correct settings screen. Check or uncheck the option “Show recent searches when I hover over the search icon.” Unchecking this option will turn off recent searches while checking this option will enable the recent inquiries on Search Icon at the taskbar. That’s it.
Second Method:
Step 1. First, open the Settings app.
Step 2. Now, select Privacy & security category from the left sidebar.
Step 3. Then, on the right side of “Privacy & security,” click the Search permissions under the “Windows permissions” section.
Step 4. After that, on the Search permissions page, turn off the toggle switch just below “Search history on this device” to prevent Windows 11 from tracking your search activities. Even previously saved search history remains on your PC.
So, if you also want to clear the previous search history, click the “Clear device search history” button. Windows 11 will no longer show recent searches when you hover over the search icon in the taskbar.
To allow Windows 11 to track your search activities, turn On the toggle switch below “Search history on this device.”
How to Use Registry Editor to Turn On/Off Recent Search Icon History on Windows 11?
To enable or disable recent Search History in Windows 11 using Registry Editor, use the following:-
First Method:
Step 1. First, open the Registry Editor.
Step 2. Now, navigate to the following key in the left sidebar:-
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Step 3. Then, right-click on the Advanced folder and then select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 4. After that, name the newly created DWORD as TaskbarSh. Next, double click on TaskbarSh on the right side pane and set its “Value data” as:-
- 0 – Disables the Search icon’s recent search history.
- 1 – Enables the Search icon’s recent search history.
So, fill in the appropriate value “0” or “1” according to your needs. 0 will turn off the search icon’s recent search history, while you must enter “1” to turn on the current search history.
Second Method:
Step 1. First, open Registry Editor.
Step 2. Now, navigate to the following key on the left side of the Registry Editor window:-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings
Step 3. Then, double-click the REG_DWORD IsDeviceSearchHistoryEnabled.
Step 4. Next, set the following Value data:-
- 0 – To stop saving your future search history.
- 1 – To allow saving your future search history.
Step 5. Finally, press OK.
Although Windows 11 applies the changes immediately after modifying the Registry key, as mentioned earlier, restart your Windows 11 machine to apply the changes if it does not work for you.
Also Read: How to Show or Hide the Taskbar Search Button on Windows 11?
Conclusion
Windows 11 has introduced a slew of new features aimed at enhancing user experience, including the ability to view recent search history directly from the taskbar. However, this feature might not appeal to everyone due to concerns over privacy or personal aesthetic preferences. Fortunately, Windows 11 offers ways to customize this feature, and users can either enable or disable their recent search icon history. Through the Settings app or the Registry Editor, users can easily toggle this feature on or off. The steps outlined in this guide provide a detailed method to control this aspect of the taskbar search experience, ensuring that Windows 11 users can tailor the OS to their personal needs and preferences.
