Are you missing the taskbar search bar after upgrading to Windows 11? Want to know how to search in Windows 11 without the search box? Want to restore the search bar in Windows 11? In this guide, we will try to answer your questions.
In Windows 11, the taskbar does not display the large search bar or search box present in Windows 10 by default. The search bar on Windows 10 taskbar allows users to search for files, apps, and the web. However, the taskbar search bar is not present in Windows 11.
Show search bar on Windows 11 taskbar?
Unfortunately, no. Windows 11 does not allow adding a search bar or search box on the taskbar. The search box has been moved from the taskbar to the Start menu. So, you now need to open the Start menu, click on the search box and then start typing. If you want to make it quick, you can open the Start menu and start typing to begin the search (no need to lclick on the search field). Of course, you can also click on the search icon next to the Start button on the taskbar to open the search screen and start searching (a similar search icon is present in Windows 10 as well).
In short, the taskbar search bar has been moved to the Start menu in Windows 11, and there is no way to add it the taskbar.
How to search without the search bar in Windows 11?
In Windows 11, as said earlier, the search bar has been moved from the taskbar to the Start menu. So, you can now open the Start menu, click on the search field and type the keyword to begin the search.
To be honest, the search bar is not required to perform a search. One can click on the search icon on the taskbar to open the search flyout/screen and start searching. This is the fastest way to access the search UI. Users who love using keyboard shortcuts can use the Windows logo + S keys to open the search flyout. Alternatively, users can open the Start menu and then start typing to search for files and apps (you do not need to click the search bar).
Tip 1: You can remove the search icon from the taskbar to free up some space by right-clicking on it and then clicking the Unpin from the taskbar option. If the search icon goes missing, you can restore the same by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar items and then turning on the Search option.
Tip 2: Hovering the mouse pointer over the search icon on the taskbar displays three most recently searched items.
Claire Pribyl says
I agree with all of the above but wish to add this: For Heaven’s sake, bring back windows 7. Ms. had a good thing going but have since regularly made absolutely useless, thoughtless changes…none for the good of users. Perhaps techs enjoy Win. 11 but no one else does. Who pays Microsoft more money, techs or users???
Perhaps those techs could actually make quality changes to 7 and give it back to us.
Are techs being paid to come up with silly, inane changes of no use whatever? I spent $1600 on a new computer just to be certain I had the new, IMPROVED version 11 of Windows, as advertised and shouted by Microsoft. Complete waste of money,
luccio antonio says
use cmd!!!!!
luccio antonio says
you dogs just use vivetool and this command and just reboot ur pc
vivetool /enable /id:40887771
and just press enter
Lisa says
Please bring back the search bar!!!!! This is so inconvenient. Not to mention I cant even move my task bar. I dont like it on the bottom. Jeez
Lola Galloway says
I was forced by microsoft to upgrade to windows 11. I even unplugged my computer to stop it from happening, but i forgot once and there it was. I can’t see anything on the home page except a small area and you have to screen to be able to view the content you want to see, with about 2-4 lines at a time. Who thinks this is an improvement. Then there is the NEWS Icon. It locks up and you can’t go back, close out, but YOU CAN CLICK ON A ADVERTISEMENT AND IT WILL OPEN UP. We are being forced to read the ADS, is that even legal. I hate windows 11, in fact I preferred Windows 7 Home Premium for years and still would but can’t have it anymore. Nothing is even simple, every day there is a different glitch, screen locks up all the time. Text size changes on its own. Can’t see the right side of a page since they no longer are the size of the screen, but are wide and requires dragging over to the right to right the whole document. I wish there was a choice for us but Microsoft didn’t buy me this computer, but they sure do own it!
Luigitime says
Microsoft Your Dumb for doing this, BRING BACK THE SEARCH BAR AND ACT LIKE YOU DIDNT MOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dai says
You’re all idiots. It’s still just hit Win key, start searching. There isn’t an extra step. It’s been this way for a long ass time now.
I came here wondering why I have a search button on my task bar at all, when it’s already right there on the start button.
admin says
Liberty, Microsfot is testing a search bar for the taskbar in Insider builds. Might be available in a future update.
Liberty says
YES, MICROSOFT, YOU PESTERED ME TO CHANGE TO 11. HE double hockey sticks 11. All the comments above a 1000 fold except for the comment about liking the look of it. LEAVE IT WELL ENOUGH ALONE AND FIND SOMETHING TO JUSTIFY YOUR JOBS. Bring the search bar back to where it belongs. COMMON SENSE. LEARN WHAT IT IS.
M says
Not only was the search bar removed and replaced with a 2 step process…the R click CUT, COPY, PASTE, DELETE, RENAME, etc… is now also a 2 step process now. WHY????? Really bad move Microsoft!!! WTF?
KC says
What a massive disappointment to learn that in Windows 11 the search box is now a 2-step process where it used to be conveniently located on the toolbar. What, you couldn’t think of anything else to mess with? Please, just bring it back. At least give us the option to use a box on the toolbar if we prefer it. You’re all making too much money to think rationally.
gary antony says
Another idiotic idea. The search Bar was handy. Why do away with it?
Kim says
Taskbar default is search box rather than bar? Fine, but please offer option to add search bar back to taskbar! Not happy with this change.
Eric Morgan says
Typical of someone taking something that wasn’t broken and fixing it.
Common Sense is a superpower!
Dollythyme says
Please bring back the Search on the taskbar in Windows 11!
Keith Germaine says
ridiculous change. Thanks Microsoft for another screwup
aussivic says
I have to agree removing the search window/field/bar or what ever the hell you are going to call it next is a really stupid idea right up there with stopping Cortana from opening programs. try adopting a more Kiss/ user friendly approach.
Jeff H. Sanford says
Thanks for the article. This has to be the stupidest change for Windows 11. I use that search bar all of the time, and now it is gone. I have to click now and then search. I don’t like it.
Rob Fenton says
I love the look of Windows 11 but why do they have to do this kind of stupid thing. Would it really have hurt to have an option to have a search bar? Mindless idiocy.
MANLEY85 says
BRING BACK THE SEARCH BAR.
wilfred kipkorir says
can i be able to know how the search bar in windows 11 eworks and where its found