Windows 11 Search Gets a Major Upgrade to Finally Clean Up Results

Microsoft is introducing new settings in Windows 11 that allow users to eliminate Bing web results and Microsoft Store suggestions from Search, promising a cleaner and faster experience. These options are part of an optional August update, gradually being rolled out to devices. Two new toggles have been added under the privacy settings: one disables Bing web results, and the other turns off Microsoft Store suggestions.

When both toggles are disabled, Windows Search will only draw from content stored locally on the device, potentially speeding up the search process by eliminating the need for an online Bing query. The Search interface will also appear more streamlined, with trending searches and promotional content removed. Additionally, Search results will now explicitly label whether a result originates from a file, app, setting, or web source.

This feature is being phased in, with Microsoft gradually enabling the toggles on devices already equipped with the necessary code. Europe has enjoyed this option since November 2023, when Microsoft announced the removal of Bing integration from the Windows Search pane for users in the European Economic Area, paving the way for uninstalling Edge to comply with the Digital Markets Act.

The Digital Markets Act, with a March 6, 2024 compliance deadline, forced Microsoft to make these changes. Users outside the EEA have had to wait approximately two and a half years for a similar choice. The rollout of this feature reflects a broader trend where features like browser choice screens, uninstallable apps, and respect for default settings first appear in Europe under regulatory requirements before expanding to other markets.

The European Commission is also enforcing the Digital Markets Act, imposing fines, including an €890 million penalty against Google. For Windows users, the consequence is straightforward: Search can now be kept entirely local, without Bing web results or Microsoft Store recommendations.