Search highlights adds rotating content such as trending searches, holidays, and suggested items to the Windows Search interface, which can turn quick lookups into a tiny newsfeed. Disabling it keeps the search panel focused on local apps, files, and settings.
Windows Search blends local indexing with optional online experiences, and Search highlights is one of the UI layers that injects dynamic cards into search home. Turning it off removes those highlight cards without changing how local search indexing works.
The toggle is per-user and can be locked down on managed PCs, which may gray out or hide the setting. Disabling Search highlights does not automatically disable web results or Bing-backed suggestions unless those features are turned off separately.
Steps to disable Search highlights in Windows 11:
- Open Settings.
Shortcut: press Win+I.
- Select Privacy & security.
- Select Search permissions.
- Scroll to the More settings section.
- Toggle Show search highlights to Off.
A grayed-out toggle typically indicates a device policy is enforcing the search experience.
- Open Search.
Shortcut: press Win+S.
- Confirm highlight cards are no longer shown in the search panel.
Mohd Shakir Zakaria is a cloud architect with deep roots in software development and open-source advocacy. Certified in AWS, Red Hat, VMware, ITIL, and Linux, he specializes in designing and managing robust cloud and on-premises infrastructures.
