• 2 min read
Microsoft tests cleaner Windows Search with fewer ads
Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel are getting a cleaner Windows Search that emphasizes local results and lets users hide web and Store suggestions.
Image: BleepingComputer
Microsoft has begun testing a redesigned Windows Search experience that puts more relevant results ahead of ads and promotional content. The update is rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel through several Windows Search Box changes that started rolling out on Monday.
The work is part of a broader search overhaul announced in March by Windows president Pavan Davuluri, with the goal of making search more consistent across the Start menu, taskbar, File Explorer, and Settings. In a Monday blog post, Jeff Petty and Anderson Aiziro from Microsoft’s Windows and Bing Search teams said the focus is on making results faster, clearer, and easier to scan.
The new experience is being released through a Controlled Feature Rollout, so not every Insider will see it right away. Microsoft said users can reboot to check whether the update is available, and the features can also be enabled through feature flags.
“You’ve been asking for search that is faster, more relevant, and easier to use—whether you’re opening an app, finding a file, or changing a setting.” “Because the Windows Search Box is where many people start, we focused first on making results more dependable, easier to scan, and clearer before you click.”
Users will now see more clearly where each result comes from, including:
- apps
- Windows settings
- files
- web results
- Microsoft Store suggestions
A new option under Settings > Privacy & Security > Search also lets users decide whether Microsoft Store and web suggestions appear alongside local results.
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Local content is now more likely to be prioritized when it is the stronger match. Microsoft also says file search now supports two-character queries, cloud files are more visible in results, and app search is better at handling typos and partial words.
The company said it has also improved reliability by reducing crashes and loading issues, with more changes still in development.
“Search is better at surfacing the right local files with added support for two-character file searches. We’ve also made improvements to show cloud and connected files in results when they’re the stronger match. These changes help you get to the document, download, or folder you are looking for faster.” “Improved search reliability, including reducing likelihood of crashing and loading issue, with more work underway.”
Microsoft said the update reflects earlier feedback and asked Windows 11 Insiders to submit more input through the Feedback Hub under Desktop Environment > Search.
In May, the company also began testing other Windows 11 interface changes in the Experimental channel, including a resizable taskbar and Start menu and a faster, modern Windows Run dialog with dark mode support.
Computing Editor
Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.
via BleepingComputer
