You can finally disable Bing in Windows 11 Search to boost performance

Microsoft is adding a toggle to disable Bing in Windows 11 Search, the company confirmed on 18 June 2026 — and you won't need to touch the Registry to use it. Marcus, Design Director at Microsoft, confirmed on X that Windows Search is "getting faster and more reliable" and will let users opt out of web results entirely. The feature is in testing and has no firm release date yet.

What changes when you disable Bing in Windows 11 Search?

According to Microsoft's confirmation, turning off Bing in Windows Search does more than just hide web results. The change decouples Microsoft Rewards from the search panel and removes Copilot ads that currently appear when you search for local files. The Search homepage will also stop pulling in content from MSN and other linked Microsoft services.

What you're left with is a clean interface showing only local files, apps, and recent searches — closer to the experience on Windows 11 LTSC, where web search can be disabled entirely. Third-party tools like PowerToys have offered this kind of fast, local-only search for years using the same Windows Search Indexer that powers the native panel. Microsoft is now catching up to its own ecosystem.

This signals a meaningful shift in Microsoft's approach. For years, the company treated Bing integration as non-negotiable in the consumer OS. Giving users an official opt-out — without workarounds — suggests Microsoft is prioritising usability over search monetisation, at least in this instance.

How to disable Bing in Windows 11 Search

Once the update reaches your device, the process takes fewer than three clicks. Microsoft has confirmed the setting will not require Registry edits, Group Policy configuration, or switching to a specialised Windows build.

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Privacy & Security
3. Select Search
4. Toggle off Web results

That's it. Windows Search will immediately switch to local-only mode, removing Bing results, the Microsoft Rewards icon, Copilot ads, and MSN content from the interface. Microsoft told Windows Latest that Bing will remain on by default — you have to opt out manually.

It's worth comparing this to what users had to do before. Previously, removing Bing from Windows Search required editing the Registry, using third-party scripts, or installing Windows 11 LTSC — none of which are practical for most users. The 2026 Windows 11 update is addressing several of these long-standing complaints in one go.

Why Windows Search has always been slower with Bing on

Windows Search uses an index-driven algorithm — not AI — to surface results. When Bing is active, every query has to be filtered across both local files and web results simultaneously. That dual processing is why searching for an installed app like Maps can sometimes return a Bing web search for "Maps" instead of launching the app directly.

Disable web results, and the indexer works on local content only. There's no intent-splitting, no web query overhead, and no ads competing for space. Tools like PowerToys run faster for exactly this reason, even though they're built on the same underlying indexer. Microsoft is essentially removing the bottleneck it added itself.

The KB5089573 update already made meaningful improvements to Windows 11 responsiveness. Removing forced Bing integration from Search should push that further for everyday use cases like file and app launching.

What this means for Windows 11 Search vs Bing enabled

Here's how the two modes compare directly, based on Microsoft's confirmed changes:

What we don't know yet

Microsoft has confirmed the feature is coming but hasn't announced a specific build number or rollout date. It's currently in testing, which means it could arrive via a Windows Insider preview first before reaching the general release channel.

There's also one gap in the announcement: Microsoft hasn't confirmed whether the toggle affects the taskbar search box specifically, or only the Start menu search panel. The two can behave differently, and it's unclear if disabling web results in Settings kills Bing in both locations.

No regional rollout differences have been flagged, so UAE users should receive the update alongside the global release — whenever that date is confirmed. Recent Windows 11 performance updates have followed standard global timelines with no regional delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I disable Bing in Windows 11 Search?

Once the update rolls out, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Search and toggle off Web results. The process takes fewer than three clicks and doesn't require any Registry edits, Group Policy changes, or third-party tools. Bing will remain on by default, so you need to turn it off manually.

Does disabling Bing make Windows 11 Search faster?

Yes. Windows Search uses an index-driven algorithm that currently has to split every query between local files and Bing web results. Disabling web results lets the indexer focus on local content only, removing the processing overhead that causes lag — particularly when searching for apps and files.

What else gets removed when I turn off Bing in Windows Search?

Disabling Bing also removes Copilot ads, the Microsoft Rewards icon, and MSN content from the Search homepage. You're left with a clean interface showing only your local files, apps, and recent searches — similar to the experience on Windows 11 LTSC.

When is this Windows 11 Search update coming?

Microsoft confirmed the feature on 18 June 2026, but no specific rollout date has been announced. It's currently in testing and will likely appear in Windows Insider preview builds before reaching the general release channel. No UAE-specific delay has been flagged.

Do I need to edit the Registry to remove Bing from Windows 11 Search?

No. Microsoft confirmed the toggle will be available directly in Settings, with no Registry edits, Group Policy configuration, or third-party scripts needed. Previously, removing Bing required one of those workarounds — this update removes that barrier entirely.

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