Windows 11 has a new Search icon on the taskbar. Here is how to add or remove the Search icon on Windows 11 taskbar.
Windows 11 bought a lot of new changes. But some things remained almost the same. The taskbar Search icon is one of those things. Though the Search icon itself and the Start menu’s search UI are updated to reflect Windows 11, the taskbar’s search icon placement is almost the same.
The intention behind the Search icon is to click on it to search in the Start menu. Some use it as intended. However, that might not be the case for most users. After all, for many, pressing the Start button or click on the Start icon and typing the search keyword is the way to go. In those cases, the Search icon on the taskbar is unnecessarily consuming limited taskbar space. In that case, it is better to remove the Search icon from Windows 11 taskbar.
No matter what you want to do. You can easily add or remove the Search icon on the Windows 11 taskbar. Let me show you how to do it.
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How to remove search icon on taskbar in Windows 11
You need to change the “Search” option in the Settings app to hide or remove the Search icon on the taskbar in Windows 11. Here is where to find and change it.
- Right-click on the taskbar.
- Select the “Taskbar settings” option.
- Turn off the “Search” option.
- Close the Settings.
- The search icon on the taskbar is removed instantly.
The first thing you should do is open the Taskbar settings page. To do that, right-click on the taskbar and select the “Taskbar settings” option. You can also go to the same page via “Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.” Once you are here, turn off the “Search” option.
As soon as you do that, Windows 11 will remove the Search icon on the taskbar.
How to add search icon on taskbar in Windows 11
To add the Search icon to the Windows 11 taskbar, we need to change the Search option on the Taskbar settings page. Here is how to do it.
- Right-click on the taskbar.
- Select the “Taskbar settings” option.
- Turn on the “Search” option.
- Close the Settings.
- With that, the Search icon is instantly added to the taskbar.
First, right-click on empty space on the taskbar and select the “Taskbar Settings” option. You can go to the same page from “Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.” Here, turn on the “Search” option. You can then safely close the settings app.
Windows 11 will add the search icon to the taskbar as soon as you turn on the option.
Once added, you can click on the search icon to search for a program, file, or folder. One of the most significant advantages of the Search icon is that it remembers your recent searches. You can access the recent searches by right-clicking on the Search icon. If you are wondering, yes, this feature is only available in Windows 11.
That is all. It is that simple to add or remove the Search icon from the taskbar in Windows 11.
I hope that helps.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
Another beginner’s guide: How to open folder options in Windows 11 File Explorer.
