Microsoft to allow disabling Bing search in Windows 11

The current search experience frequently forces web results to the top of the list, a design choice that has long drawn criticism for prioritizing Microsoft’s ecosystem over user intent. One viral example involved a user searching for their local terminal, only to be redirected to results for the 2018 Margot Robbie film of the same name. While advanced users have previously bypassed this behavior by manually editing the Windows registry, the upcoming change simplifies the process into a standard settings adjustment.

Demonstrated at a recent Windows Insiders Program meetup in San Francisco, the new control will be located under the Privacy & Security menu within the Search section. Beyond silencing Bing, the company appears ready to provide an option to disable Microsoft Store suggestions in the search bar as well. Microsoft has yet to provide a specific release date for this update, but the move marks a significant shift toward prioritizing local control over forced web integration.