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Microsoft Tests Windows 11 Search Menu Without Ads or Recommendations
Microsoft is piloting a decluttered Windows 11 search menu for Insiders that removes recommended content and ads. The update shows only recent searches and prioritizes local results over web promotions. Testers can disable web and Store suggestions entirely through Settings.
Jul 13, 5:53 PM·1m read1 source
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Microsoft began testing a version of the Windows 11 search menu that removes recommended content and ads. The Verge reported that the company announced the change in a blog post on Monday and is rolling the decluttered Search Box out to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel. The revamped search homescreen displays only recent searches.
The current menu shows recent searches alongside tiles containing the image of the day, daily quizzes, trending searches, and game recommendations. The updated menu will surface the most relevant answer first instead of related products and promotions. The search menu will show metadata and a preview of the file in the right pane.
The Windows 11 search system will prioritize results from local files, apps, and settings ahead of web and Microsoft Store recommendations. Testers can turn off web and Store recommendations entirely from the Settings menu. The search system can better handle typos, extra letters, and partial words.
It also offers performance improvements.
