SearchboxTaskbarMode 0: hiding the search box on the Windows taskbar

DebloatFreeUndo: YesUpdated View as Markdown

Short answer

Updated

SearchboxTaskbarMode decides how search appears on the taskbar: 0 hides it, 1 shows an icon, 2 shows the box. This tweak sets it to 0. Pressing the Windows key and typing still searches. In the registry it sets SearchboxTaskbarMode to 0 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search.

In the app
Hide the Taskbar Search BoxFREE
Registry

HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search

SearchboxTaskbarModeYour previous value0

What the switch writes. Your current value may differ.

What it does

SearchboxTaskbarMode decides how search appears on the taskbar: 0 hides it, 1 shows an icon, 2 shows the box. This tweak sets it to 0. Pressing the Windows key and typing still searches.

In the app the switch is called "Hide the Taskbar Search Box", described there as: Removes the search box from the taskbar. Pressing the Windows key and typing still searches.

When it helps, and when it hurts

When it helps

  • More taskbar room, and no search highlights in the box.

When it hurts

  • Nothing. Search works as before from the Start menu.

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 valueWith the tweakSwitching it off
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSearchboxTaskbarMode0Your previous valueSaved before the change, or deleted if there was none.

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

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "SearchboxTaskbarMode" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
See what it is set to now · CMD
reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v "SearchboxTaskbarMode"

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

Cosmetic.

Questions

What does the "Hide the Taskbar Search Box" tweak change in Windows?
In the registry it sets SearchboxTaskbarMode to 0 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search.
Is "Hide the Taskbar Search Box" safe to switch on?
Cosmetic. The main cost: Nothing. Search works as before from the Start menu.
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.
Is "Hide the Taskbar Search Box" free in Frozen Tweaks?
Yes. It is one of the free tweaks, with no time limit.

In the app

Switch
Hide the Taskbar Search Box
Category
Debloat
Plan
Free
Undo
Yes

See it in the catalog

More tweak explainers

Written by

Founder of Frozen Tweaks, based in Hamburg, Germany. Publishes settings guides for competitive games on his YouTube channel, Frost LIVE.

In the app

Category
Debloat
Plan
Free
Undo
Yes

See it in the catalog

Frozen Tweaks

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58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.

v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details

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The free Windows app for competitive games.

58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.

See all 177 tweaks

v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details

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