Is "Disable Start Menu Web Search" safe to switch on?

One of the most useful quality of life settings in Windows 11. The main cost: You cannot search the web from Start. Sign out once for it to apply.

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.

Does it need a restart?

Yes, the change applies after signing out once.

Is "Disable Start Menu Web Search" free in Frozen Tweaks?

Yes. It is one of the free tweaks, with no time limit.

DisableSearchBoxSuggestions: remove Bing web results from the Windows 11 Start menu

Frost LIVEDebloatFreeUndo: YesUpdated Oct 8, 2026View as Markdown

Short answer

Updated Oct 8, 2026

When you type in Start, Windows sends the text to Bing and mixes web results into the list. DisableSearchBoxSuggestions set to 1 keeps the search local: apps, files and settings only. In the registry it sets DisableSearchBoxSuggestions to 1 under HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer.

In the app

Disable Start Menu Web SearchFREE

Registry

HKCUSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

DisableSearchBoxSuggestionsYour previous value1

What the switch writes. Your current value may differ.

What it does

When you type in Start, Windows sends the text to Bing and mixes web results into the list. DisableSearchBoxSuggestions set to 1 keeps the search local: apps, files and settings only.

In the app the switch is called "Disable Start Menu Web Search", described there as: Keeps Start search local: no Bing results or web suggestions while you type (sign out to apply).

When it helps, and when it hurts

When it helps

Faster, cleaner results, and nothing you type in Start is sent to Bing.

When it hurts

You cannot search the web from Start. Sign out once for it to apply.

What it writes

Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values the switch writes.
Key and value	With the tweak	Switching it off
HKCUSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\ExplorerDisableSearchBoxSuggestions	1	Your previous valueSaved before the change, or deleted if there was none.

From the app's source (pack_extra.hpp), app 2.0.0, checked Oct 8, 2026.

The same change by hand

You do not need the app for this one. These commands make the changes from the table above. Run them in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, and make a restore point first.

Make the change · CMD

reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" /v "DisableSearchBoxSuggestions" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

See what it is set to now · CMD

reg query "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" /v "DisableSearchBoxSuggestions"

How to undo it

In the app: Yes

Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. The app saved what each value was before the change and writes exactly that back, or removes the value if it did not exist.

Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.

Verdict

One of the most useful quality of life settings in Windows 11.

Questions

What does the "Disable Start Menu Web Search" tweak change in Windows?: In the registry it sets DisableSearchBoxSuggestions to 1 under HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer.
Is "Disable Start Menu Web Search" safe to switch on?: One of the most useful quality of life settings in Windows 11. The main cost: You cannot search the web from Start. Sign out once for it to apply.
How do I undo it?: Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.
Does it need a restart?: Yes, the change applies after signing out once.
Is "Disable Start Menu Web Search" free in Frozen Tweaks?: Yes. It is one of the free tweaks, with no time limit.

In the app