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Disable Edge Search bar on desktop

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • 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.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrator rights 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​

This script disables the Search bar feature. This feature is formerly known as Edge bar 1 2 3 4 5 and Web Widget 1 2 3 4 6 7.

This feature allows users to perform web searches directly from their desktop or within applications 5 8. The search is powered by Bing 6 7, or the default search engine of Microsoft Edge 6 7 8. It provides search and URL suggestions 6 7 8. It also displays personalized news and content such as headlines, weather, sports, traffic, along with some tools 4 5. Users can access the Search bar from the "More tools" menu or jump list in Microsoft Edge 6 7 8.

The Search bar is enabled by default across all profiles unless disabled 6 7 8. It does not start at Windows startup by default 1 2 9.

This feature raises privacy concerns as it collects data to provide personalized content 4 5. Once opened, it remains active even after you close Microsoft Edge 3. You must explicitly close it using the "Quit" option in the System tray or the 3-dot menu 6 7.

Running this script will disable:

  • The Search bar 6 7 8.
  • The option to launch the Search bar from Microsoft Edge "More tools" menu 6 7 8
  • The option to launch the Search bar from Microsoft Edge jump list menu 6 7 8
  • Automatical launch of the Search bar at Windows startup 1 2 9.
  • The option to start the Edge bar at Windows startup in Microsoft Edge settings 1 2 9.

The script configures the following Edge policies:

Edge policyAffected Edge versions
WebWidgetAllowed 3 6 7Edge ≥ 88 and ≤ 119 6 7
WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup 1 2Edge ≥ 88 and ≤ 119 1 2
SearchbarAllowed 8Edge ≥ 117 8
SearchbarIsEnabledOnStartup 9Edge ≥ 117 9
Caution
  • This will display the message "Your browser is managed by your organization" on the settings page.
  • This locks settings and prevents them from being changed on the settings page.
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
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Edge Search bar on desktop" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 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 Edge Search bar on desktop" 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 Edge Search bar on desktop
    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
:: Configure "WebWidgetAllowed" Edge policy
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!WebWidgetAllowed"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'WebWidgetAllowed' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Configure "WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup" Edge policy
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Configure "SearchbarAllowed" Edge policy
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!SearchbarAllowed"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'SearchbarAllowed' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Configure "SearchbarIsEnabledOnStartup" Edge policy
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!SearchbarIsEnabledOnStartup"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'SearchbarIsEnabledOnStartup' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Edge Search bar on desktop" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

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

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt 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.

This category contains scripts that adjust Microsoft Edge settings to enhance privacy, security, and potentially improve system performance This category is design...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Other guides in Configure Edge 

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 26 guides
Disable Edge telemetry
Disable Edge and WebView2 automatic updates
Disable Copilot in Edge
Disable Edge ads
Harden Edge privacy
Disable Edge Follow feature
Disable Edge Shopping Assistant
Disable Edge Microsoft Rewards
Disable Edge Bing suggestions in address bar
Disable Edge "Find on Page" data collection
Disable Edge sign-in prompt on new tab page
Disable Edge search and site suggestions
Disable outdated Edge automatic image enhancement
Disable Edge quick links on the new tab page
Disable Edge remote background images on new tab page
Disable Edge Collections feature
Disable Edge failed page data collection and suggestions
Disable outdated Edge games menu
Disable Edge in-app support
Disable Edge payment data storage and ads
Disable Edge address data storage
Disable Edge experimentation and remote configuration
Disable Edge automatic startup
Disable Edge external connectivity checks
Disable Edge Family Safety settings
Disable Edge site information gathering from Bing

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