Windows Search is great, but for privacy reasons, you may want to restrict what can be reviewed about a user’s search history. With the recent release, Windows 11 now allow users to view recent search history simply by hovering over the search icon on the taskbar. You can turn this feature off with a few clicks. By default, the feature is turned on and enabled. The new Windows 11 comes with many new features and a new user desktop, including a centered Start menu and taskbar, rounded corners windows, themes, and colors that will make any computer look and feel modern. To get started with configuring hover-over search behavior, continue with the steps below.
How to disable recent search history when hovering over the search icon
As mentioned above, Windows introduced a new feature that allows users to quickly review recent search history when they hover over the search icon on the taskbar. You can turn it off quickly from Windows Search, and the steps below show you how. Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. From system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows, all can be done from its System Settings pane. To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings as shown in the image below: Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it. Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Network & internet, and select Wi-Fi on the right pane of your screen shown in the image below. When the Taskbar settings pane opens, Click or tap on Taskbar behaviors on the right side to expand it open. Then uncheck the box for “Show recent searches when I hover over the search icon” to turn it off. That should immediately go into effect.
How to enable show recent search when hovering over the search icon
If you change your mind and you want to re-enable this feature, simply reverse the steps above by going to the Start menu ==> Settings ==> Personalization ==> Taskbar ==> Taskbar behavior and check the box for “Show recent searches when I hover over the search icon” as shown below. That should do it! Conclusion: This post showed you how to turn on or off search history when users hover over the search icon on the taskbar. If you find any error above or have something to add, please use the comment form below.
