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Disable sending search queries to Microsoft in Visual Studio Code

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Works with any Linux distroWorks with any Linux distribution that can run bash scripts.
  • Linux onlyThis script improves your privacy on Linux
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: Medium

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Moderate

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.
  • Sudo/root requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

By default, Visual Studio Code sends setting search queries to Microsoft servers 1. This is part of the natural language search mode, which is powered by a Microsoft online service 1.

You can disable this feature by setting enableNaturalLanguageSettingsSearch to false 1.

For more information, see Settings search | Feature announcement.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable sending search queries to Microsoft in Visual Studio Code" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable sending search queries to Microsoft in Visual Studio Code" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable sending search queries to Microsoft in Visual Studio Code
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
from pathlib import Path
import os, json, sys
property_name = 'workbench.settings.enableNaturalLanguageSearch'
target = json.loads('false')
home_dir = f'/home/{os.getenv("SUDO_USER", os.getenv("USER"))}'
settings_files = [
  # Global installation (also Snap that installs with "--classic" flag)
  f'{home_dir}/.config/Code/User/settings.json',
  # Flatpak installation
  f'{home_dir}/.var/app/com.visualstudio.code/config/Code/User/settings.json'
]
for settings_file in settings_files:
  file=Path(settings_file)
  if not file.is_file():
    print(f'Skipping, file does not exist at "{settings_file}".')
    continue
  print(f'Reading file at "{settings_file}".')
  file_content = file.read_text()
  if not file_content.strip():
    print('Settings file is empty. Treating it as default empty JSON object.')
    file_content = '{}'
  json_object = None
  try:
    json_object = json.loads(file_content)
  except json.JSONDecodeError:
    print(f'Error, invalid JSON format in the settings file: "{settings_file}".', file=sys.stderr)
    continue
  if property_name not in json_object:
    print(f'Settings "{property_name}" is not configured.')
  else:
    existing_value = json_object[property_name]
    if existing_value == target:
      print(f'Skipping, "{property_name}" is already configured as {json.dumps(target)}.')
      continue
    print(f'Setting "{property_name}" has unexpected value {json.dumps(existing_value)} that will be changed.')
  json_object[property_name] = target
  new_content = json.dumps(json_object, indent=2)
  file.write_text(new_content)
  print(f'Successfully configured "{property_name}" to {json.dumps(target)}.')
EOF
fi
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable sending search queries to Microsoft in Visual Studio Code" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Terminal
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
  1. 1

    Open terminal

    Open your terminal application.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into terminal application and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

Visual Studio Code, also commonly referred to as VS Code, is a source-code editor made by Microsoft. Visual Studio Code makes outgoing network requests to collect ...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable Visual Studio Code data collection 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

See all 10 guides

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process