New changes to Windows 11 Start menu and search look genuinely exciting and thank the heavens that we’ll be able to disable web results
Microsoft is rolling out significant improvements to the Windows 11 Start menu and search functionality, with changes currently available to Windows Insider testers. The updates aim to streamline the search experience and give users greater control over the results they see.
The improvements include several user-facing enhancements: a cleaner, calmer home screen design, more clearly organized search results, and the removal of promotional content from web results. A key feature is the addition of user choice—individuals can now decide whether web search results and Microsoft Store suggestions appear in their searches, addressing long-standing complaints about unwanted recommendations.
The update also prioritizes local results when they provide a better match than cloud-based alternatives, helping users find locally-stored files and applications more efficiently. Microsoft is also tuning which Windows settings appear in search results, making system configuration more discoverable and accessible.
These changes represent Microsoft’s effort to address criticisms of Windows search functionality, which has historically included aggressive promotional content and suboptimal result ordering. By offering granular user control and de-emphasizing commercial suggestions, the company aims to make Windows search feel less intrusive while maintaining its utility. The improvements are rolling out gradually through the Windows Insider program before wider release.