Microsoft finally lets Windows 11 users disable web and Store results in Search

It looks like Microsoft is finally listening to feedback. The company is testing a redesigned Windows 11 Search experience that gives local apps, settings and files a better chance of appearing first. The update also adds an option to disable web and Microsoft Store suggestions from the Search interface. Should this become part of the stable release that would be one of the most major updates to an otherwise cluttered operating system that produced no useful content in the Start menu for years.

The current version can place a suggested web query above an installed application or matching Windows setting. Microsoft’s examples show searches for “install” and the misspelled “utlook” opening web results instead of Installed apps and Outlook. The revised ranking finds the relevant local result first.

Here’s a full list of changes.

Windows 11 Start Menu updates

• A calmer home screen. Search home has been simplified to reduce visual clutter and make it easier to get back to recent searches quickly.
• Clearer results . Search does a better job showing where a result comes from-app, setting, file, web result, or Store suggestion-so it’s easier to tell what you’re looking at and where you will go before you click.
• Promotional content has been removed from web results. Web results show the most relevant answer, instead of first showing related products and promotions, helping search feel more focused and less distracting.
• You’re in control of web and Microsoft Store results. A new setting in Settings > Privacy & Security > Search lets you choose whether web and Microsoft Store suggestions appear alongside local results.
• Local results prioritized when they’re the better match. Apps, settings, and files more reliably appear ahead of web and Store suggestions when your content is the stronger match. System items like This PC and Recycle Bin are easier to discover.
  Finding apps is more forgiving. Search is better at handling typos, dropped letters, extra letters, and partial words for apps. Queries like “utlook” can still find Outlook.
• Settings results are improving. We’ve made a first round of ranking improvements to help more relevant settings appear higher in results, with more tuning planned in the coming months.
• Finding files is improving . Search is better at surfacing the right local files with added support for two-character file searches. We’ve also made improvements to show cloud and connected files in results when they’re the stronger match. These changes help you get to the document, download, or folder you are looking for faster.
  Reliability is improving. Improved search reliability, including reducing likelihood of crashing and loading issue, with more work underway.

1 / 5

1 / 5

Local apps and files move ahead of web results

One of the most important updates in my opinion, is that Windows Search will prioritize local content when it provides the stronger match. Apps can now be found with partial words, missing letters or extra characters. Settings are receiving similar ranking changes, while system locations such as This PC and Recycle Bin should be easier to find.

File search now supports two-character queries and provides clearer information about file types, modification dates and associated applications. Microsoft is also improving results from cloud storage and other connected sources. The preview pane can show more information, including a visual preview of supported documents.

Microsoft removes promotions from Search previews

The Search home page has been simplified around recent activity. Microsoft has removed recommendation cards, trending searches, games and other discovery content shown in its before-and-after comparison (I wonder if they will also remove Linkedin/Candy Crush from Windows). Web previews will also stop displaying related products and promotional cards above the requested information.

The changes are gradually rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel through a Controlled Feature Rollout. Microsoft says availability may differ by region, and not every Insider will receive the update immediately.

Source: Microsoft

Follow us on Google Set as Preferred Source

Share