Skip to main content

Disable Bing search in start menu

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 Bing search integration in the Windows Start menu search function 1 2 3.

In Windows, typing in the Start menu search box displays results from the web via Bing, in addition to local search results 2 3.

By preventing the search function from sending queries to Microsoft servers, this script enhances user privacy and optimizes system performance by reducing the search workload.

Running this script prevents such web searches by modifying the HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search!BingSearchEnabled registry key 1 2 3. It is applicable to Windows version 1909 and older 1 2 4.

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​

This action belongs to Disable search suggestions category. This category focuses on enhancing privacy by disabling various search suggestions in Windows, commonly associated with Cortana. Cortana is a digital assistant integrated into Windows Search, capable of collecting extensive personal data to provide its services. This includes your search... 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 Bing search in start menu.
  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

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search!BingSearchEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search' /v 'BingSearchEnabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$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"^""; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. 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\Search!BingSearchEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search' /v 'BingSearchEnabled' /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"^""; }"

Support​

This website relies on your support.

Support now

Your donation helps keep the project alive and improves its content ❤️.

Share this page:

EmailLinkedInRedditPinterestWhatsAppTelegramWeiboVK