turn search highlights on off windows 11
turn search highlights on off windows 11

turn search highlights on off windows 11

Introduction

Greetings, readers!

Are you tired of the distracting yellow highlights that appear when you search for something in Windows 11? Or perhaps you find them helpful and want to make sure they’re always turned on? Whatever your preference, this article will guide you through the process of turning search highlights on or off in Windows 11.

We’ll cover multiple methods, from using the Settings app to editing the registry, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. So, whether you want to streamline your search results or enhance their visibility, let’s dive right in!

Turning Search Highlights On or Off Using the Settings App

Method 1: Through the Search Menu

  1. Press the "Win+S" keyboard shortcut to open the search menu.
  2. Enter "Settings" and click on the app that appears.
  3. Navigate to "Personalization" and then select "Start."
  4. Under "Search," toggle the switch next to "Show search highlights" to "On" or "Off" according to your preference.

Method 2: Via the Search Settings Page

  1. Open the Settings app as described in Method 1.
  2. Go to "Apps" and select "Search permissions."
  3. On the right-hand side, toggle the switch under "Search highlights" to "On" or "Off."

Editing the Registry to Control Search Highlights

Method 1: Creating a New Registry Key

  1. Press "Win+R" to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type "regedit" and click "OK" to launch the Registry Editor.
  3. Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionSearch
  1. Right-click on the "Search" key and select "New" > "DWORD (32-bit) Value."
  2. Name the new value "ShowSearchHighlights."
  3. Double-click on "ShowSearchHighlights" and set its value to "1" to enable search highlights or "0" to disable them.

Method 2: Editing an Existing Registry Key

  1. Navigate to the following path in the Registry Editor:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionSearchFlighting
  1. Look for the "ShowSearchHighlights" value on the right-hand side. If it doesn’t exist, create it as described in Method 1.
  2. Double-click on "ShowSearchHighlights" and change its value to "1" or "0" as desired.

Troubleshooting Search Highlight Issues

If you’re experiencing problems with search highlights in Windows 11, try the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Restart your computer.
  • Check for updates to Windows 11.
  • Run the Windows Search troubleshooter (Settings app > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters).
  • Reset the Windows Search service by running the following command in an elevated Command Prompt:
net stop wsearch && net start wsearch

Table: Comparison of Search Highlight Methods

Method Advantages Disadvantages
Settings app Easy to use Limited customization options
Registry edit Allows for more fine-tuned control Requires caution and technical knowledge

Conclusion

That concludes our guide on turning search highlights on or off in Windows 11. Whether you prefer to use the Settings app or edit the registry, we hope you’ve found the information you need to customize your search experience.

If you’re looking for more ways to optimize your Windows 11 system, be sure to check out our other articles on topics such as:

FAQ about Turn Search Highlights On/Off Windows 11

1. What are Search Highlights?

Search Highlights are a feature in Windows 11 that shows suggested files, apps, and search results in the Start Menu search box.

2. How do I turn on Search Highlights?

Go to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle Show search highlights to On.

3. How do I turn off Search Highlights?

Follow the same steps as above, but toggle Show search highlights to Off.

4. Why can’t I find the "Show search highlights" option?

The option may not be available if your organization has disabled it through Group Policy.

5. Do Search Highlights affect my privacy?

No, Search Highlights only show suggestions based on your local search history and do not send any information to Microsoft.

6. Can I customize what appears in Search Highlights?

No, the content shown in Search Highlights is determined by Windows 11 and cannot be customized.

7. Can I disable Search Highlights completely?

Yes, you can disable Search Highlights using the Registry Editor. However, this is not recommended unless you are experiencing issues with the feature.

8. My Search Highlights are not showing any suggestions. What’s wrong?

Make sure you are signed in with a Microsoft account and have Cortana enabled. You may also need to clear your search history or rebuild the Windows Search index.

9. How do I clear my search history?

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Search permissions. Under Search history, click Clear search history.

10. How do I rebuild the Windows Search index?

Open Control Panel > Indexing Options. Click Advanced > Rebuild.

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