How to Customize or Hide the Windows 11 Taskbar Search

Learn how to show, hide, or change the appearance of the Search bar on your Windows 11 taskbar to reclaim space and streamline your interface.

1. Open Taskbar Settings. Right-click any empty space on the taskbar to open the context menu. Select Taskbar settings from the list to launch the System Settings panel.
2. Locate the Taskbar Items section. Within the Taskbar settings menu, find the Taskbar items section. You will see a list of toggles for system buttons including Search, Task view, Widgets, and Chat.
3. Adjust Search visibility. Click the dropdown menu next to the Search label. You can choose between Hide, Search icon only, Search icon and label, or Search box.
4. Observe the changes. Your taskbar will update immediately to reflect your selection. Ensure the layout meets your preference before closing the Settings window.
5. Access search without the bar. If you choose to hide the search icon, you can still trigger search at any time by pressing the Windows Key and typing your query. This keeps your interface clean while maintaining full functionality.