Windows 11 is stepping up its game with a significant enhancement to its Search functionality, now featuring an option to completely eliminate web results. This long-awaited toggle is part of Insider Experimental build 26300.8697, marking the introduction of Windows 11 version 26H2. Users will find that with this toggle activated, Search operates with remarkable speed, presenting a cleaner interface where local results take precedence over web-based suggestions.
Initially reported by Windows Latest in May, Microsoft has been working diligently to adjust the prominence of web results in Windows Search. The company confirmed the development of a dedicated toggle on June 18, emphasizing that this change would enhance performance by eliminating the delays associated with web queries.
How Windows 11 Search looks and feels without web results
The new toggles for Web Searches and Microsoft Store apps can be found under the “Show suggested search results” section in the Privacy & security settings of Windows Search. Accessing this feature is straightforward through the Gear icon located in the upper right corner of the Search interface.
Even before the toggles are switched off, Windows Search defaults to a streamlined experience, devoid of MSN content and trending searches. However, if the Search history toggle remains active, past web searches will still be displayed. Users have long expressed the need for Microsoft to minimize recommended content in Search, and it appears the company has taken this feedback to heart. It remains uncertain whether this will become the default setting across all Windows 11 devices.
With the Search history toggle enabled and the Web Searches toggle disabled, the results now prominently feature recent app searches and settings inquiries. The absence of web suggestions, combined with some Low Latency Profile enhancements, results in an impressively swift opening of Windows Search, even on a modestly powered PC.
For instance, searching for “pdf” in the current stable Windows 11 build typically yields a Bing web result as the primary highlight, alongside PDF editors from the Microsoft Store. However, with the web toggle turned off, the Best match immediately displays a local PDF file, complete with details such as file type, last modified date, and quick action options like Open and Copy path. The Microsoft Store section still appears below, showcasing relevant apps, but web results are entirely absent.
Microsoft Store results can also be turned off separately in Windows Search
The independent functionality of the Web Searches and Microsoft Store toggles is a welcome addition. With the web toggle disabled but the Store toggle still active, a search for “call of duty” will yield results from the Store, including game ratings and screenshots. This refined approach enhances the user experience, making it easier to locate apps directly from the Store.
Disabling both toggles results in a “No results found” message if there are no locally installed apps or files matching the search term. This behavior aligns perfectly with users seeking a purely local experience without unsolicited app suggestions.
The Store toggle addresses a concern that arose when Microsoft integrated Store suggestions into Windows Search. While some users appreciate the convenience, others perceive it as a sales tactic. Now, the ability to toggle these features independently provides users with greater control.
Moreover, searching for Windows settings remains functional even with both toggles turned off, further showcasing the versatility of the updated Search experience.
How to enable the hidden Windows Search toggle in Windows 11 build 26300.8697
This new feature is currently hidden behind feature flags in Insider Experimental build 26300.8697, released on June 19, 2026. It is not yet available to all Insiders by default. To enable it, users can download ViveTool from GitHub, extract the files, and run Command Prompt as an administrator. From there, they can navigate to the ViveTool folder and execute the command:
vivetool /enable /id:61267302,61344081,61482515,61532758,61760679
If the new experience does not appear after a restart, enabling feature ID 48433719 may also be necessary. Users can verify or enable it with:
vivetool /enable /id:48433719
After restarting, navigating to Settings > Privacy & security > Search should reveal the “Show suggested search results” section, complete with the new toggles. As this feature remains experimental, users may experience varying behavior across different systems.
More Windows Search improvements coming to Windows 11 in 2026
In addition to these enhancements, Windows Search is becoming increasingly efficient and reliable. Recent updates have introduced typo forgiveness for app queries, allowing users to find applications even with misspelled terms. Furthermore, the latest stable update has improved search responsiveness, triggering file results after just two characters instead of three.
Behind the scenes, Microsoft is also shifting its strategy regarding account and service integration, aiming to provide users with more autonomy over their Windows experience. This move away from mandatory Microsoft Account requirements and the removal of Bing from Windows Search reflects a broader trend of enhancing user control.
While the streamlined Search panel without web results is a welcome improvement, there is an ongoing desire for Microsoft to simplify the Search UI further, making it less cluttered by default. Although no official timeline has been announced for the rollout of these Search enhancements to the broader Windows 11 user base, the polished nature of the experience suggests that these updates may arrive sooner rather than later.
