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Disable Bing search and recent search suggestions (breaks search history)

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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: Minimum

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Low

    This action improves privacy with minimal 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 improves privacy by disabling Bing search in the Start menu and recent search suggestions in File Explorer 1 2 3 4 5.

By default, Windows 10's Search Box includes suggestions from the Internet, alongside local search results 4 5 6 7. This script limits the search results to your local machine, improving privacy by not sending data to Microsoft servers 2.

The script:

  • Stops Bing web search integration in the Start menu 1 2 3 4 5.
  • Disables recent search suggestions in File Explorer 5 6 7.
  • Prevents search entries from being stored in the registry for future use 5 6 7.
Caution

Running this script will remove Bing web search 1 2 3 4 5 and recent query suggestions from the search box 5 6 7, breaking the functionality of File Explorer pop-up suggestions based on past entries 6 7.

This script modifies:

  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer!DisableSearchBoxSuggestions 2 3 4.
  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search!DisableSearchBoxSuggestions 8 9.

These keys replace older BingSearchEnabled registry value 2 3. They apply to Windows 10 versions post 1909, including Windows 10 v2004 (20H1) and higher 5 9.

Safe for General Use
All actions in this script is recommended for all users. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.
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 Bing search and recent search suggestions (breaks search history)" 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 Bing search and recent search suggestions (breaks search history)" 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 Bing search and recent search suggestions (breaks search history)
    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
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer!DisableSearchBoxSuggestions"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer' /v 'DisableSearchBoxSuggestions' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search!DisableSearchBoxSuggestions"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search' /v 'DisableSearchBoxSuggestions' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$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"^""; }"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Bing search and recent search suggestions (breaks search history)" 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.

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Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable search suggestions 

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.

Disable Bing search in start menu
Disable web search in search bar
Disable web results in Windows Search
Disable Windows search highlights

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