This post will show you how to show or hide search icon on your taskbar in Windows 11. Search Icon located at the taskbar makes it easier to find what you’re looking for. Windows 11 has a separate search button is built into the taskbar and a Search Bar is built into the start menu.
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In Windows 11, the taskbar does not display the large search bar or search box compare to Windows 10 where we used to allow users to search for files, apps, and the web. With Windows 11, only the Search icon is available. The taskbar search bar has been removed to provide a better user interface (UI) design for the latest Windows known for the visual evolution of the operating system.
By default, the search icon is located on the taskbar of your desktop. If your search icon is hidden and you want it to show on the taskbar, You can easily make it visible. You can also remove the search icon from the taskbar to free up some space by right-clicking on it and then clicking the Unpin from the taskbar option.
Show or Hide Search on Taskbar from Context Menu
To hide or show your search box, Follow the below steps –
- Right-click or long-press on an empty area on your taskbar to open Taskbar Settings directly from your Windows 11 Desktop.
- Select Taskbar Settings, which will directly jump you to the Windows settings app.

Under Taskbar items, By default, the Search button is set to Turn On on the right side. To Turn off the Show Search button toggle switch to remove the Search button that appears on the taskbar.

Once done, You can close Settings.
Show or Hide Search on Taskbar from Settings
Let’s see how you can use the Windows Setting app to show or hide search icon on the taskbar –
- In Windows 11 device, Click on Start button, and then select Settings.
- Click on Personalization > Taskbar.

Under Taskbar items, By default, the Search button is set to Turn On on the right side. To Turn off the Show Search button toggle switch to remove the Search button that appears on the taskbar.

- Once done, You can close Settings.
- If you would like to show or hide the search icon in your taskbar, you can repeat the above steps.
Results End-User Experience
Here you can see Search Icon has been removed/hidden from Windows 11 taskbar.

Here you can see by default Search Icon has been appeared in Windows 11 taskbar.
You can use keyboard shortcuts Windows logo + S keys to open the search flyout

Resources
- Windows 11 How to Hide Taskbar Options Unhide
- Easy Steps to View Windows 11 Hidden Files
- New Windows 11 Quick Settings Options
- Choose Windows 11 Folders to Appear on Start next to the Power Button How to Customize
- Display Taskbar on Multiple Monitors in Windows 11 Quick Option
- Customize Windows 11 Taskbar Notification Area