Remove "Search" app
Overview
This script improves your privacy on Windows.
These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
This script removes the "Search" app from Windows to improve privacy.
The search app was previously known as Microsoft.Windows.Cortana
.
This app was commonly known as Cortana 1 2 3.
It was pre-installed on older versions of Windows 10 1 2 3.
It collected personal data such as contacts, emails, calendar events, voice inputs, and searches 4.
Cortana has been retired, with end-of-support reached in 2024 5.
Microsoft.Windows.Search
is introduced in Windows 10 version 2004 6.
This app replaced Cortana's role in providing search functionality 6
Its executable, SearchApp.exe
, is located at C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe
7 8.
This app powers the Windows search bar 7 8.
Community reports suggest that this app may collect data to display advertisements 9 10.
Removing these apps enhances privacy by eliminating potential data collection. It improves security by reducing the attack surface. Additionally, removing these unnecessary apps may boost system performance by freeing up resources
Removing these apps may cause the taskbar search to become unresponsive 11 12, though File Explorer search remains functional. This has been confirmed on following versions on Windows:
Windows Version | App Removed | Taskbar Search Functionality |
---|---|---|
Windows 10 Pro (19H1/1903, 19H2/1909) | Cortana | 🔴 Unresponsive |
Windows 10 Pro (20H2, 21H2, 22H2) | Search app | 🔴 Unresponsive |
Windows 11 (21H2) | Search app | 🟢 No impact |
Due to these impacts, the script does not remove Microsoft.Windows.Cortana
at all and removes Microsoft.Windows.Search
on Windows versions where it's known that it has no impact.
Overview of default preinstallation
Microsoft.Windows.Cortana
:
OS | Version | Existence |
---|---|---|
Windows 10 | 19H1 | ✅ |
Windows 10 | 19H2 | ✅ |
Windows 10 | 20H2 | ❌ |
Windows 10 | 21H2 | ❌ |
Windows 10 | 22H2 | ❌ |
Windows 11 | 21H2 | ❌ |
Windows 11 | 22H2 | ❌ |
Windows 11 | 23H2 | ❌ |
Microsoft.Windows.Search
:
OS | Version | Existence |
---|---|---|
Windows 10 | 19H1 | ❌ |
Windows 10 | 19H2 | ❌ |
Windows 10 | 20H2 | ✅ |
Windows 10 | 21H2 | ✅ |
Windows 10 | 22H2 | ✅ |
Windows 11 | 21H2 | ✅ |
Windows 11 | 22H2 | ❌ |
Windows 11 | 23H2 | ❌ |
This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.
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
- Remove system apps
- Remove Windows apps
- Remove bloatware
This action belongs to Remove system apps category.
This category includes scripts for uninstalling default system apps in Windows. System apps are pre-installed applications located in the C:\Windows*
directory. These apps are typically found on C:\Windows\SystemApps\{PackageFamilyName}
or C:\Windows\{ShortAppName}
folders. They are...
Read more on category page ▶
This action belongs to Remove Windows apps category. This category covers the uninstallation of Windows apps. Windows apps were introduced with Windows 8 and are typically acquired and installed through the Store app. Many of these apps come pre-installed on Windows by default. Uninstalling unused or unwanted apps contributes to privacy by... Read more on category page ▶
This action belongs to Remove bloatware category. This category configures Windows using 215 scripts. These scripts are organized in 35 categories. The category includes 1 subscripts and 9 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶
Apply now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
- Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
- Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
- 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.
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.
privacy.sexy instructions
- Open or download the desktop application
- Search for the script name:
Remove "Search" app
. - Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.
Alternative 2. Download
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.
-
Download the script file by clicking on the button below:
-
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.
Alternative 3. Copy
This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide
-
Click on Start menu
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Type cmd
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Click on Yes to run Command Prompt
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Copy the following code:
:: Enable removal of system app 'Microsoft.Windows.Search' by marking it as "EndOfLife"
:: Create "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\EndOfLife\$CURRENT_USER_SID\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy" registry key
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows11-21H2.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows11-21H2'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\EndOfLife\$CURRENT_USER_SID\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy'; $registryHive = $keyPath.Split('\')[0]; $registryPath = "^""$($registryHive):$($keyPath.Substring($registryHive.Length))"^""; $userSid = (New-Object System.Security.Principal.NTAccount($env:USERNAME)).Translate([Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier]).Value; $registryPath = $registryPath.Replace('$CURRENT_USER_SID', $userSid); if (Test-Path $registryPath) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, registry path `"^""$registryPath`"^"" already exists."^""; exit 0; }; try { New-Item -Path $registryPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host "^""Successfully created the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
:: Uninstall 'Microsoft.Windows.Search' Store app
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows11-21H2.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows11-21H2'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; Get-AppxPackage 'Microsoft.Windows.Search' | Remove-AppxPackage"
:: Mark 'Microsoft.Windows.Search' as deprovisioned to block reinstall during Windows updates.
:: Create "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy" registry key
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows11-21H2.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows11-21H2'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy'; $registryHive = $keyPath.Split('\')[0]; $registryPath = "^""$($registryHive):$($keyPath.Substring($registryHive.Length))"^""; if (Test-Path $registryPath) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, registry path `"^""$registryPath`"^"" already exists."^""; exit 0; }; try { New-Item -Path $registryPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host "^""Successfully created the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
:: Remove the registry key "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\EndOfLife\$CURRENT_USER_SID\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy" (Revert 'Microsoft.Windows.Search' to its default, non-removable state.)
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows11-21H2.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows11-21H2'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\EndOfLife\$CURRENT_USER_SID\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy'; $registryHive = $keyPath.Split('\')[0]; $registryPath = "^""$($registryHive):$($keyPath.Substring($registryHive.Length))"^""; $userSid = (New-Object System.Security.Principal.NTAccount($env:USERNAME)).Translate([Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier]).Value; $registryPath = $registryPath.Replace('$CURRENT_USER_SID', $userSid); Write-Host "^""Removing registry key at `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $registryPath)) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, registry key `"^""$registryPath`"^"" does not exist."^""; exit 0; }; try { Remove-Item -LiteralPath $registryPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host "^""Successfully removed the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
- Right click on command prompt to paste it.
- Press Enter to apply remaining code.
Copy restore code
Copy and run the following code to restore changes:
:: Remove ability to remove system app 'Microsoft.Windows.Search' to match operating system defaults
:: Restore "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\EndOfLife\$CURRENT_USER_SID\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy" registry key by deleting it
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows11-21H2.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows11-21H2'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\EndOfLife\$CURRENT_USER_SID\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy'; $registryHive = $keyPath.Split('\')[0]; $registryPath = "^""$($registryHive):$($keyPath.Substring($registryHive.Length))"^""; $userSid = (New-Object System.Security.Principal.NTAccount($env:USERNAME)).Translate([Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier]).Value; $registryPath = $registryPath.Replace('$CURRENT_USER_SID', $userSid); Write-Host "^""Removing registry key at `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $registryPath)) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, registry key `"^""$registryPath`"^"" does not exist."^""; exit 0; }; try { Remove-Item -LiteralPath $registryPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host "^""Successfully removed the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
:: Reinstall 'Microsoft.Windows.Search' if it was previously uninstalled
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows11-21H2.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows11-21H2'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $packageName='Microsoft.Windows.Search'; $publisherId='cw5n1h2txyewy'; if (Get-AppxPackage -Name $packageName) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, `"^""$packageName`"^"" is already installed for the current user."^""; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Starting the installation process for `"^""$packageName`"^""..."^""; <# Attempt installation using the manifest file #>; Write-Host "^""Checking if `"^""$packageName`"^"" is installed on another user profile..."^""; $packages = @(Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers $packageName); if (!$packages) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$packageName`"^"" is not installed on any other user profiles."^""; } else { foreach ($package in $packages) { Write-Host "^""Found package `"^""$($package.PackageFullName)`"^""."^""; $installationDir = $package.InstallLocation; if ([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($installationDir)) { Write-Warning "^""Installation directory for `"^""$packageName`"^"" is not found or invalid."^""; continue; }; $manifestPath = Join-Path -Path $installationDir -ChildPath 'AppxManifest.xml'; try { if (-Not (Test-Path "^""$manifestPath"^"")) { Write-Host "^""Manifest file not found for `"^""$packageName`"^"" on another user profile: `"^""$manifestPath`"^""."^""; continue; }; } catch { Write-Warning "^""An error occurred while checking for the manifest file: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; continue; }; Write-Host "^""Manifest file located. Trying to install using the manifest: `"^""$manifestPath`"^""..."^""; try { Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "^""$manifestPath"^"" -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Successfully installed `"^""$packageName`"^"" using its manifest file."^""; exit 0; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Error installing from manifest: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; }; <# Attempt installation using the package family name #>; $packageFamilyName = "^""$($packageName)_$($publisherId)"^""; Write-Host "^""Trying to install `"^""$packageName`"^"" using its package family name: `"^""$packageFamilyName`"^"" from system installation..."^""; try { Add-AppxPackage -RegisterByFamilyName -MainPackage $packageFamilyName -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Successfully installed `"^""$packageName`"^"" using its package family name."^""; exit 0; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Error installing using package family name: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; throw "^""Unable to reinstall the requested package ($packageName). "^"" + "^""It appears to no longer be included in this version of Windows. "^"" + "^""You may search for it or an alternative in the Microsoft Store or "^"" + "^""consider using an earlier version of Windows where this package was originally provided."^"""
:: Remove 'Microsoft.Windows.Search' from deprovisioned list to allow reinstall during updates.
:: Restore "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy" registry key by deleting it
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows11-21H2.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows11-21H2'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy'; $registryHive = $keyPath.Split('\')[0]; $registryPath = "^""$($registryHive):$($keyPath.Substring($registryHive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Removing registry key at `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $registryPath)) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, registry key `"^""$registryPath`"^"" does not exist."^""; exit 0; }; try { Remove-Item -LiteralPath $registryPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host "^""Successfully removed the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
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