Trending search suggestions in the Windows 11 search panel can clutter your workflow and display results you may not need. Disabling these suggestions helps keep your search experience focused on local files and apps, improving privacy and reducing distractions. The following instructions outline the most effective way to remove trending searches, followed by additional options if the first method does not meet your needs.

Step 1: Open the Windows Settings app by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard. This shortcut quickly launches the main settings window.

Step 2: In the Settings window, select Privacy & security from the left-hand sidebar. This category contains options related to data collection, search, and device privacy.

Step 3: Scroll down and click on Search permissions. This section controls how Windows handles search suggestions, history, and online content.

Step 4: Locate the Cloud content search section. Here you’ll find toggles for search suggestions and content from the web.

Step 5: Turn off the option labeled Show search highlights or Show search suggestions from the web (the exact label may vary depending on your Windows 11 version). Disabling this switch stops trending searches from appearing in the Windows search panel.

Step 6: Close the Settings window. The changes take effect immediately—open the search panel to confirm that trending searches no longer appear.

This method works for Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions. The Group Policy Editor allows for more granular control over system features, including search suggestions.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

Step 2: In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search

Step 3: Double-click the policy named Do not allow web search. Set it to Enabled and click OK. This disables web-based suggestions, including trending searches, in the search panel.

Step 4: Find and double-click the policy Don't search the web or display web results in Search. Set it to Enabled and confirm with OK.

Step 5: Restart your computer or sign out and sign back in to apply the changes.

If you want a quick, temporary solution, signing out and back in can sometimes clear trending suggestions for the current session.

Step 1: Click on your profile icon in the Start menu and select Sign out.

Step 2: Sign in again with your user account. The trending searches may be reset or hidden temporarily, though this is not a permanent fix.

Additional Notes and Tips

  • Disabling trending searches may also reduce the amount of data sent to Microsoft about your search habits.
  • If you use a Microsoft account, some web-based suggestions may still appear based on your sync settings. Adjusting cloud content options in Settings can help limit this.
  • Some changes may require a system restart or sign-out to take full effect.
  • For Windows 11 Home edition users, the Group Policy Editor is not available by default. Use the Settings method for best results.

Disabling trending searches in Windows 11 streamlines your search experience and keeps your focus on local results. If you ever want to restore trending suggestions, simply reverse the above settings.