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To remove Search Highlights from Windows 11 search, open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions, then turn off Show search highlights under More settings. This hides the highlighted content without disabling Windows Search.
Turn off Search Highlights in Settings
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Privacy & security > Search permissions.
- Under More settings, switch Show search highlights off.
Windows labels and the setting’s placement can vary by build. Microsoft Q&A guidance identifies this Settings route and control: how to turn off symbols showing in the search bar.
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If “Show search highlights” is missing or unavailable
On a work, school, or otherwise managed device, an administrator may control Search Highlights through the AllowSearchHighlights device policy. Microsoft documents the Group Policy location as Computer Configuration > Windows Components > Search > Allow search highlights. If the setting is controlled by policy, contact the device administrator rather than changing organization-managed settings yourself.
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For administrators, Microsoft documents the corresponding registry mapping at HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindows Search, using the EnableDynamicContentInWSB value. A value of 0 turns Search Highlights off in search home and the Start menu search box in Windows 11; a value of 1, or leaving the policy unconfigured, turns it on. See Microsoft’s Policy CSP – Search reference for policy details.
#1 Best Overall
- 1.1 GHz (boost up to 2.4GHz) Intel Celeron N5030 Quad-Core
Microsoft documents this policy for Windows 11 version 21H2 with KB5023774 (build 22000.1761) and later, and version 22H2 (build 22621) and later. The CSP lists Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What turning off Search Highlights changes
This setting controls highlighted content and suggestions shown in Windows search; it does not disable Windows Search itself. Microsoft documents a separate DisableSearch policy for disabling Search UI entry points. That is a different policy and is not needed to hide Search Highlights. A Microsoft Q&A discussion of taskbar search showing suggestions reflects the symptom this setting addresses.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
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- 【Fast Connectivity & Expansion】 Equipped with WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 for stable, high-speed wireless. Features 3 x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, Type-C (supports PD3.0 fast charging), and a TF card slot expandable up to 2TB – easily connect external monitors, mice, drives, or expand storage for all your files
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Rank #3
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
Rank #2
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
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