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Windows 11 Search Gets Another Redesign in Insider Preview Build 26300.8772

Microsoft’s Search redesign is rolling out gradually to Experimental-channel Insiders, with clearer result sources, suggestion controls, and improved app and file search.

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Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 Search redesign aims to reduce clutter, clarify what each result is, and make local results easier to find. The changes were announced on July 13, 2026, for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel and are rolling out gradually—not to every Windows 11 user.

What changed in Windows 11 Search?

Microsoft says the redesign updates the Search home screen, result labels and ranking, web and Store suggestions, and the way Search handles app and file queries. The goal is to make it easier to return to recent searches and identify whether a result is an app, setting, file, web result, or Microsoft Store suggestion. Microsoft’s July 13 announcement describes the update.

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A less cluttered Search home

The home screen is being simplified to reduce visual clutter and make recent searches easier to revisit.

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Clearer results and fewer promotional web items

Search results are intended to make their source clearer. Microsoft also says promotional content has been removed from web results so the most relevant answer appears first.

Local results and suggestions

Microsoft says local apps, settings, and files should appear ahead of web and Store suggestions when local content is the stronger match. This PC and Recycle Bin should also be easier to find. A new control lets users choose whether web and Microsoft Store suggestions appear alongside local results.

More forgiving app and file searches

App search is being adjusted to better handle typos, missing or extra letters, and partial words. Microsoft gives “utlook” finding Outlook as an example. File search is gaining support for two-character queries, and cloud or connected files should surface more readily when they are the stronger match.

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Settings ranking and reliability

Microsoft says it is making an initial round of improvements to Settings result ranking, with more tuning planned. It is also working to reduce Search crashes and loading problems.

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Can you turn off web results or Store suggestions?

Microsoft says the redesign adds a control at Settings > Privacy & Security > Search to choose whether web and Microsoft Store suggestions appear alongside local results. The announcement does not provide further detail about the control’s exact label or whether the two suggestion sources can be managed separately.

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Which Insider build has the new Search?

The feature announcement is tied to Experimental Preview Build 26300.8772. Microsoft’s release notes say that build was released on July 6, 2026, and updated on July 13 to point to the Search announcement. That does not mean every Insider on that build will see the redesign.

Microsoft says the features are rolling out gradually to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel through Controlled Feature Rollout. Access can vary between eligible testers, and Microsoft notes that experiences may also differ by region. Feature flags can expose the changes, but that does not make them generally available.

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Why does Windows 11 Search look different?

If you are an Experimental-channel Insider, you may have received the redesign through the staged rollout. Since Microsoft does not enable it for every eligible tester at once, two people using the same preview build may see different Search experiences. The announcement does not establish that the redesign is available in a general Windows 11 release.

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Is the Search redesign final?

No. Microsoft describes the Experimental channel as early access to features and ideas in active development. Its build notes warn that preview features can change, be removed, or never ship beyond Windows Insiders. Treat this Search experience as a preview rather than a promise about a future public release. The build 26300.8772 notes also corrected an earlier mistake: a planned four-pixel increase in Search Box height was intended for a future Insider build, not 26300.8772, so it is not part of this redesign announcement.

Quick Recap

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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