If you use Windows every day you know how frustrating it can be. You press the search button and instead of finding your file you see lots of ads and random web stuff you didn't ask for. News. Microsoft is finally fixing this.
On July 13 2026 Microsoft announced an update for the Windows Search Box. Its rolling out to Windows Insiders in the channel first. Not everyone will get it away but once it reaches your PC search is going to feel a lot cleaner and smarter.
Calmer Home Screen
When you open Windows Search now the home screen is full of stuff. Trending news, recommendations and other things you didn't ask for. Microsoft has simplified this. The new search home screen focuses on your searches. This way you can get back to what you were doing
You Can Now Tell Where a Result Is Coming From
Have you ever clicked a search result and got confused about where it took you? Microsoft has fixed that too. Now search results clearly show if something is an app, a setting, a file, a web result or a Microsoft Store suggestion. So you know what you're clicking before you click it.
No More Ads in Web Results
This is probably the part. Earlier when you searched something and it pulled web results you'd often see products and ads at the top. Thats gone now. Web results will show the relevant answer first.
You Get to Control Web and Store Suggestions
Microsoft added a setting under Settings > Privacy & Security > Search. From here you can choose whether you want web and Microsoft Store suggestions to show up in your search results.. You can just want local results. Your apps, files and settings only.
Local Results Get Priority
If your file, app or setting is a match for your search it will now show up before any web or Store suggestion. Microsoft has also made it easier to find system items like This PC and Recycle Bin in search.
Typos Won't Stop You Anymore
Search is now more forgiving with typing mistakes. Even if you type something like "utlook" of "Outlook " it'll still understand what you meant and show you the app.
Settings and Files Are Easier to Find
Microsoft has also improved how settings show up in search results. Relevant settings appear higher up. File search has gotten better too. Even two-character searches now work.
Fewer Crashes, Fewer Glitches
Microsoft has also worked on making search more reliable. That means crashes and fewer loading issues while you search.
How to Check If You Have the Update
Want to see if this new search experience has reached your PC? Here's what to do:
- Make sure you're enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, on the Experimental channel. This update isn't for regular Windows users yet.
- Restart your PC. Since Microsoft is rolling this out gradually, a simple reboot can sometimes trigger it to appear.
- If a reboot doesn't work, check your feature flags. Insiders can turn on early features manually from here, so this update may be sitting there waiting to be switched on.
- Once it shows up, open Search and look for the cleaner home screen and the new result labels (app, setting, file, web, or Store) to confirm it's active.
How to Turn Off Web and Store Suggestions
If you just want local results and nothing from the web or Microsoft Store, here's how to switch that off once the update reaches you:
- Open Settings on your PC.
- Go to Privacy & Security.
- Click on Search.
- Find the new toggle for web and Microsoft Store suggestions, and turn it off.
These changes are rolling out today to Windows Insiders in the channel. For everyone Microsoft says this will roll out more widely to all Windows 11 users later this year.
Windows Search has needed this kind of cleanup for a time. With this update Microsoft is clearly listening to user feedback. Making search feel more like a tool. If you're, on the Insider program this is worth checking out away. For users it's a good update to look forward to later this year.