Disable Edge Search bar on desktop

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

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 policy	Affected Edge versions
WebWidgetAllowed 3 6 7	Edge ≥ 88 and ≤ 119 6 7
WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup 1 2	Edge ≥ 88 and ≤ 119 1 2
SearchbarAllowed 8	Edge ≥ 117 8
SearchbarIsEnabledOnStartup 9	Edge ≥ 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.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

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.

Implementation Details

• Language: batch

• Required Privileges: Administrator rights

• Compatibility: Windows only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Configure Edge

This action belongs to Configure Edge category. This category contains scripts that adjust Microsoft Edge settings to enhance privacy, security, and potentially improve system performance This category is designed for Chromium-based Edge only, not for legacy Edge. Edge (Chromium) is the current version of Microsoft Edge, replacing Edge... Read more on category page ▶

Configure browsers

This action belongs to Configure browsers category. This category includes scripts that enhance privacy by adjusting browsers to prevent tracking, minimize data leaks, and restrict personalized ads. These changes help protect user privacy across different web browsers and optimize system performance by reducing privacy-invasive processing. Read more on category page ▶

Configure programs

This action belongs to Configure programs category. This category configures Windows using 111 scripts. These scripts are organized in 22 categories. The category includes 5 subscripts and 9 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

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

privacy.sexy instructions

1. Open or download the desktop application
2. Search for the script name: Disable Edge Search bar on desktop.
3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

   Download script

2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

HELP: Step-by-step guide

1. Click on Start menu

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

2. Type cmd

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

---

Windows 11

Windows 10

2. Copy the following code:

Code to 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"

3. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
4. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

:: Restore "WebWidgetAllowed" Edge policy
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!WebWidgetAllowed"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'WebWidgetAllowed' /f 2>$null"
:: Restore "WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup" Edge policy
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup' /f 2>$null"
:: Restore "SearchbarAllowed" Edge policy
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!SearchbarAllowed"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'SearchbarAllowed' /f 2>$null"
:: Restore "SearchbarIsEnabledOnStartup" Edge policy
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!SearchbarIsEnabledOnStartup"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'SearchbarIsEnabledOnStartup' /f 2>$null"

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