Windows 10 – How to Disable Web Search in Anniversary Update (Build 1607)

cortanawindows-10-v1607

In the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (build 1607) it is no longer possible to disable cortana, only decline to sign in. Cortana has completely replaced the previously available Windows Search feature that could be enabled by disabling Cortana. How can one therefore disable the web search aspect of Cortana, and return local results only?

Best Answer

To disable Cortana, start regedit.exe, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search, create a new 32-bit DWORD value here named AllowCortana and leave its value data as 0.

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After a reboot you see the Cortana Logo is gone and the local search opens:

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if this also doesn't disable web search, set the value BingSearchEnabled to 0 under HKEY_Local_Machine\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_Local_Machine\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]
"AllowCortana"=dword:00000000
"BingSearchEnabled"=dword:00000000
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