Microsoft tests Windows Search without all the ads and fluff
Microsoft is testing a decluttered version of the Windows 11 search menu that removes advertisements and recommended content. The update prioritizes local file results and provides a cleaner interface for users.
Why it matters
This shift reflects a strategic move by Microsoft to improve user experience and regain trust by reducing intrusive promotional content in core operating system features.
Microsoft is testing a cleaner version of the Windows 11 search menu that strips it of recommended content and ads. In a blog post on Monday, Microsoft announced that it’s rolling out the decluttered Search Box to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel as the company looks to regain trust with users and fix Windows.
One of the biggest changes is a revamped search homescreen that displays only your recent searches. Currently, when you open the search menu, it shows your recent searches alongside several distracting tiles on the right pane, containing things like the image of the day, daily quizzes, trending searches, and game recommendations.
[Image: https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/windows-search-menu.png?quality=90&strip=all]
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