Disable personal cloud content search in taskbar

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 integration of personal cloud content in the taskbar search box 1 2 3.

By default 2, Windows Search can access and display results from various Microsoft cloud services, including OneDrive, Outlook, Bing, SharePoint 2 3 4 for both personal Microsoft accounts and work or school accounts 1 2 3 4.

This means your personal and work-related files stored on Microsoft's cloud platforms can be searched through the Windows Search interface. While this feature increases convenience, it also poses privacy concerns. For instance, someone with access to your computer can potentially view your personal search results or data from your cloud storage. Additionally, your search queries are shared with Microsoft, further impacting your privacy.

By disabling this feature, you ensure that Windows Search only returns results from your local device, safeguarding your personal and professional information stored in cloud services. This action enhances privacy by keeping your cloud-stored data separate from local search operations.

The script modifies two registry keys to disable cloud content search for different account types:

• For personal Microsoft accounts: HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings!IsMSACloudSearchEnabled 1 2 3
• For work or school accounts: HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings!IsAADCloudSearchEnabled 1 2 3

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Safe for General Use

This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Implementation Details

• Language: batch

• Required Privileges: Administrator rights

• Compatibility: Windows only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Disable Windows search data collection

This action belongs to Disable Windows search data collection category. This category is dedicated to minimizing the personal data collected and utilized by Windows Search and Cortana. It encompasses a range of scripts designed to curtail data sharing and bolster user privacy. These scripts are crucial for preventing the search function from transmitting sensitive... Read more on category page ▶

Disable OS data collection

This action belongs to Disable OS data collection category. This category configures Windows using 153 scripts. These scripts are organized in 33 categories. The category includes 14 subscripts and 13 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 personal cloud content search in taskbar.
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

:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings!IsMSACloudSearchEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings' /v 'IsMSACloudSearchEnabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings!IsAADCloudSearchEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings' /v 'IsAADCloudSearchEnabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Suggest restarting explorer.exe for changes to take effect
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$message = 'This script will not take effect until you restart explorer.exe. You can restart explorer.exe by restarting your computer or by running following on command prompt: `taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer`.'; $warn =  $false; if ($warn) { Write-Warning "^""$message"^""; } else { Write-Host "^""Note: "^"" -ForegroundColor Blue -NoNewLine; Write-Output "^""$message"^""; }"

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

:: Delete the registry value "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings!IsMSACloudSearchEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings' /v 'IsMSACloudSearchEnabled' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings!IsAADCloudSearchEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings' /v 'IsAADCloudSearchEnabled' /f 2>$null"
:: Suggest restarting explorer.exe for changes to take effect
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$message = 'This script will not take effect until you restart explorer.exe. You can restart explorer.exe by restarting your computer or by running following on command prompt: `taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer`.'; $warn =  $false; if ($warn) { Write-Warning "^""$message"^""; } else { Write-Host "^""Note: "^"" -ForegroundColor Blue -NoNewLine; Write-Output "^""$message"^""; }"

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