Users who have used Windows 11 in its initial days would know there was no taskbar search box in Windows 11 back then. Instead, a search box/bar was offered in the Start menu, which is also present in the latest version of Windows 11.
Since many Windows 10 users who upgraded to Windows 11 were missing the taskbar search bar, it was introduced about a year after the initial release of Windows 11.
As with the case of Windows 10, Windows 11, users need not use the taskbar search bar to initiate a search. They can use the Windows + S hotkey to open the search menu, open the Start menu and start typing, or use the Start menu search bar to initiate a search.
If you are also using one of the other available methods to search, you might want to disable or remove the taskbar search bar to free up some valuable space on the taskbar.
This guide shows you how to hide and remove the taskbar search bar from Windows 11.
Hide and remove the taskbar search bar from Windows 11
Step 1: Open the Settings app using search or Windows logo + I hotkey.
Step 2: On the left pane of the Settings app, click Personalization. Now, on the right side, click Taskbar.
Step 3: Click on Taskbar items to expand the same. Here, select the Hide option from the drop-down menu next to Search (refer to the picture below) to completely hide and remove the search bar from the taskbar.
If you would like to see a search icon instead, select the Search icon only option.
Show search bar in Windows 11 taskbar
Step 1: Open the Settings app. Go to Personalization > Taskbar page.
Step 2: In the Taskbar items section, select the Search box from the drop-down menu next to the Search.
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