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The Windows Start Menu’s integrated Bing search can slow down your system by performing web queries for local searches. Disabling it improves performance and privacy. Here’s how to turn it off:
Method 1: Using Registry Editor
- Press
Win + R, typeregedit, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
3. Right-click Explorer > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Name it `DisableSearchBoxSuggestions` and set its value to 1.
5. Restart your PC.
Method 2: Group Policy (Windows Pro/Enterprise)
- Open Run (
Win + R), typegpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Go to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
3. Double-click Turn off display of recent search entries in the Windows Search Box and enable it.
Method 3: PowerShell Command
Run as Administrator:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" -Name "BingSearchEnabled" -Value 0
Restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager or run:
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force
You Should Know:
- Check Status: Verify Bing search is disabled with:
Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" | Select-Object BingSearchEnabled
Output should be `0`.
- Alternative Tools: Use Winaero Tweaker for GUI-based adjustments.
Linux Equivalent: On Linux, optimize search with:
sudo updatedb && locate <filename> Faster than `find`
Privacy Boost: Block Bing telemetry via firewall:
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block Bing" -Direction Outbound -Action Block -Program "C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe"
What Undercode Say:
Disabling Bing Search streamlines Windows performance, reduces latency, and minimizes data leaks. For advanced users:
– Audit background processes with:
Get-CimInstance Win32_Process | Select-Object Name, CommandLine | Where-Object { $_ -match "Bing" }
– Purge cached web results:
del /q /f /s "%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Search_\LocalState\"
– On Linux, refine searches with `grep` and find:
find / -type f -name ".conf" -exec grep -l "password" {} \;
– For Windows scripting, automate registry edits via `.reg` files:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search] "BingSearchEnabled"=dword:00000000
Expected Output:
A faster, privacy-focused Start Menu with no Bing interference.
Reference: Disable Bing Search in Start Menu
References:
Reported By: Aleborges Disable – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
