Microsoft is Finally Giving Us a Native Toggle to Disable Bing Web Results in Windows Search

For years, one of the most frustrating aspects of the Windows 11 user experience has been the intrusive integration of Bing web results directly into the local Windows Search bar. Type the name of a local file or a system app, and Windows often prioritizes random web links over the actual file sitting on your hard drive.

Up until now, blocking web queries required complex registry hacks, third-party software, or diving into deep Group Policy settings.

Thankfully, that era might finally be coming to an end. A massive new leak has revealed that Microsoft is quietly building a native toggle to turn off web search results for good, alongside a drastically overhauled, cleaner Search UI.

Hidden inside Windows 11 Build 26300: Total Search Control

Spotted first by reliable Windows enthusiast and leaker @phantomofearth on X, the groundbreaking option is hidden within Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8697 (Experimental Channel).

This particular branch has been the staging ground for several heavily requested operating system upgrades. Earlier Windows 11 Build 26300 flights on TheWinCentral revealed Microsoft’s work on a highly modular, customizable Start menu layout alongside critical performance fixes. This latest 8697 compilation pushes user personalization even further.

The feature made a surprise public appearance during a recent San Francisco Windows Insider meetup, giving testers their first glimpse at a far more stripped-back and user-centric operating system.

According to screenshots shared from the build, Microsoft has added a dedicated section titled “Show suggested search results.” Under this new settings menu, users will finally be able to toggle off web searches entirely with a single click.

But that isn’t the only major win for user control. The leak confirms that Microsoft is also allowing users to completely turn off Microsoft Store results within Windows Search. This effectively ends the frustrating trend of the OS trying to sell you apps or games from the storefront when you are simply trying to search your local desktop index.

First Look: The New “Highlight-Less” Windows Search UI

Beyond the toggles, Build 26300.8697 uncovers a heavy visual refresh aimed at reducing interface clutter.

The updated Windows Search UI introduces a “highlight-less” recent and suggested page. This eliminates the flashy, algorithmic Bing “Search Highlights” graphics that often bloated the interface, returning the panel to a clean, focus-driven layout.

Additionally, the build brings revamped search cards that display significantly more “at-a-glance” info in local search results. This allows you to quickly view file metadata, paths, and system details directly from the overlay without needing to click through into File Explorer.

Hidden in build 26300.8697 is the long-awaited option to turn off web searches in Windows Search for good under a new “Show suggested search results” section, as seen at the SF Windows Insider meetup. A long time coming! pic.twitter.com/a4T0J94r21

— phantomofearth 🌳 (@phantomofearth) June 19, 2026

When Will It Roll Out to Everyone?

Because these toggles are currently floating around the Experimental Insider builds, Microsoft is still actively testing the backend infrastructure.

As tracked across Windows 11 update reports on TheWinCentral, Microsoft has increasingly used these early 26300 preview builds to pilot structural shell updates before graduating them to stable feature packs. Given that these search toggles were openly showcased at an official Windows Insider meetup, it is highly likely that they are slated for a broader rollout in an upcoming major Windows 11 feature update.

For power users who have long demanded an honest, local-first search engine built straight into the taskbar, this update is a massive step in the right direction.

Key Highlights of the Windows 11 Search Update:

• Native Web Search Toggle: Completely shut off Bing search integration from the Windows Search bar.

• Disable Microsoft Store Results: Keep the storefront suggestions out of your local workflow.

• Highlight-less UI: Say goodbye to distracting Bing daily images and clutter in the “Recent” section.

• Richer Metadata: Improved “at-a-glance” details for local files and apps directly in the search overlay.

How to Enable the Hidden Search Toggles Right Now (ViveTool Guide)

Because this feature is still in its experimental phase, Microsoft has hidden it behind specific configuration flags. If you are already running Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.8697 on the Experimental Channel, you can force-enable the new Settings menus immediately using ViveTool.

1.Download ViveTool:Prerequisite.

Stay tuned to WinCentral for all latest news about Windows 11 update related news and keep reading our full coverage here.

Please follow us on our Facebook page and X account for all latest and breaking Windows and Microsoft related news.