Microsoft is fixing one of the most baffling things about Windows 11 'spam' in search results

Date:
Wed, 20 May 2026 09:40:58 +0000

Description:
In an important if long overdue move, Windows 11 search is finally giving
up spamming you with web results.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Microsoft is applying an important fix to Windows 11 search The taskbar search box will no longer surface web results as a priority in some cases This was baffling behavior at times and part of promoting Bing and Edge so it's good to see the practice ending If you've ever muttered under your breath with annoyance at Windows 11 's baffling search results, here's some good news Microsoft is fixing it so the operating system doesn't surface web results as a priority.

It's a frustration that anyone who uses Windows 11 and has ever used the search box on the taskbar is surely familiar with. You want to find a file on your drive, or a system setting for something, so you type that query in and the first result you see is for something on the web that's totally irrelevant. However, as Windows Latest points out , Microsoft has realized that this behavior and often pushing Bing , or its other services, through these web results isn't acceptable, and gets in the way of the usability of Windows 11's search functionality. Latest Videos From You may like Microsoft promises to fix the biggest issues in Windows 11, including AI Microsoft
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In a recently released Windows 11 preview build in the Experimental channel for testers, Microsoft said it is changing the taskbar search box to ensure results are more relevant, and that: "Files and apps more reliably appear ahead of web suggestions when your content is a stronger match."

Microsoft further notes that we can "expect to see additional relevance improvements" for search in the future.

That doesn't mean web results are going to be completely ditched from Windows 11 search, mind you, and that's a prospect which seems unlikely. Analysis:
why has this taken so long? (Image credit: Windows/Unsplash) So, files and apps (or settings) now take priority when you're hunting for something via
the Windows 11 search box, over anything that Microsoft might flag up on the web. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Windows Latest highlights how a search for a Windows 11 app used to turn up a movie from the web as the first result, and notes that now, even when deliberately searching for terms which also apply to famous film titles, this is no longer happening.

Of course, there's a theme here that runs through many of the changes Microsoft is applying to Windows 11, namely that these should have been in place from the very start with the OS.

Who on earth wants to be searching for files only to have meaningless web results clutter up the place? Microsoft, that's who, for the clicks the firm is hoping to get as an excuse to pop up Bing (and Edge). For me, this is the equivalent of 'spam' infiltrating search results.

At any rate, better late than never as they say, and I'm still very glad to see this happening although all these kinds of adjustments remind us why
this is a campaign about Microsoft fixing Windows 11 rather than improving
the operating system. And that it was Microsoft's fault that it was broken in the first place, of course, and has remained that way for so long until an AI rebellion finally made the company sit up and take notice . The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best laptops 1. Best overall: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 2. Best budget: Apple MacBook Neo 3. Best Windows 11 laptop Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch 4. Best thin and light: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 5. Best Ultrabook Asus Zenbook S 16 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-is-fixing-one-of-the-mos t-baffling-things-about-windows-11-spam-in-search-results


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