In this post, we’ll look at how to enable or disable recent searches on Windows 11 when the user hovers over the search icon. Users can use Windows Search to find apps, files, folders, documents, and the web on their device quickly.
Windows Search is great, but you might want to limit what can be seen about a user’s search history for privacy reasons. Users can now view recent search history by hovering over the search icon on the taskbar in Windows 11, which was recently released.
With a few clicks, you can disable this feature. The feature is turned on and enabled by default.
Many new features and a new user desktop are included in Windows 11, including a centered Start menu and taskbar, rounded corner windows, themes, and colors that make any computer look and feel modern. Follow the steps below to get started configuring hover over search behavior.
Related: How to Import or Export Device Drivers in Windows 11
Disable recent search history when hover over search icon
As previously mentioned, when users hover over the search icon on the taskbar, Windows introduced a new feature that allows them to quickly review recent search history. The steps below show you how to quickly turn it off from Windows Search.
The majority of Windows 11’s settings can be found in one place. Everything can be done from the System Settings pane, including system configurations, new user creation, and Windows updates.
You can use the Windows key + I shortcut or go to Start > Settings to get to System Settings. Alternatively, you can use the taskbar’s search box to look for Settings. After that, choose to open it.
The image below shows how the Windows Settings pane should look. Click Network & internet in Windows Settings, then Wi-Fi in the right pane of your screen, as shown in the image below.

Click or tap on Taskbar behaviors on the right side of the Taskbar settings pane to expand it.
To turn it off, uncheck the box that says “Show recent searches when I hover over the search icon.” That should take effect right away.
Enable show recent search when hover over search icon
If you change your mind, you can re-enable this feature by going to the Start menu > Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behavior and checking the box next to “Show recent searches when I hover over the search icon.”
Related: How to Enable or Disable Check Boxes in File Explorer on Windows 11
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