Is Microsoft finally going to de-spam Windows 11 search? It looks that way and I'm shocked that my most-wanted change could be incoming

Date:
Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:22:08 +0000

Description:
Windows 11 search could soon get a vital change to make it more usable.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Windows 11 search could give
you the option to turn off web results Microsoft is already giving those results a lesser priority, but might go even further, and also remove results pointing to its store All this is based on changes seen in a meet-up with Windows 11 testers, but it remains a rumor for now In what will hopefully be one of the most refreshing changes yet to be visited upon Windows 11 , Microsoft is rumored to be working on letting users ditch web results (and therefore Bing ) from the search function in the OS.

Windows Latest reports that it was present at a private meeting of Windows
11 testers where Microsoft revealed that the ability to turn off web results in search was inbound. The website provides photographic evidence of the feature in an internal build not yet released as a preview, showing a toggle to turn off web searches, and another element of search suggestions can be switched off too, namely search results for the Microsoft Store . Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

We're told that these new options are going to be rolling out to Windows 11 testers in a matter of weeks, so we shouldn't have long to wait before we get concrete evidence of these changes. Analysis: spam begone (Image credit: Windows Latest / Microsoft) If you've ever run a search in Windows 11 (or
10), you'll doubtless be familiar with web results popping up and getting in the way of what you actually want to see (namely local files being surfaced, or maybe Windows settings). You may like Microsoft is fixing a major fail
with Windows 11 baffling search results Microsoft is finally fixing a
glaring issue with Windows 11 search Microsoft tames some ads in Windows 11, says big taskbar change is imminent

Just a few weeks ago, we heard that Microsoft is deprioritizing those web results in Windows search , meaning that as things stand with the current plan, these will still be present, but will appear further down the list than local files and other generally more relevant content.

At the time, I noted that Microsoft should give users the choice to switch
off web results entirely, but remarked that this seemed unlikely. So, I'm
very pleased to see that Microsoft has (reportedly) defied my expectations
and is actually moving forward with this option and the choice to ditch Microsoft Store recommendations to boot (even if these toggles should have always been in place when it boils down to it). Get daily insight,
inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

This is effectively giving users the choice to get rid of a lot of the 'spam' in Windows 11 search, cutting it back to just local results with nothing web-based being returned for any given query. It's a great move, and indeed I'd argue it's a key one in terms of getting rid of unwelcome promotional activity in Windows 11 (either pushing Microsoft Store apps, or web results which, naturally enough, open in Bing inside Edge , driving traffic to those Microsoft properties).

Before I get carried away here, it's worth remembering that for now, this remains a rumor albeit a solid one given that Windows Latest shared a photo of the meeting and new Settings options. Even if all this is genuine, though, there's always the possibility that Microsoft could reverse course on the
idea but I doubt it, especially given that the company is very much in the mood to make crowd-pleasing changes to Windows 11 these days .

Keep those fingers crossed. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best laptops 1. Best overall: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 2. Best budget: Apple MacBook Neo 3. Best Windows 11 laptop Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch 4. Best thin and light: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 5. Best Ultrabook Asus Zenbook S 16



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/is-microsoft-finally-going-to-de-s pam-windows-11-search-it-looks-that-way-and-im-shocked-that-my-most-wanted-cha nge-could-be-incoming


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)