Do not allow web search

Purpose

Show registry keys (1)

• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search\DisableWebSearch

This machine-wide registry value corresponds to the Windows policy named “Do not allow web search.” A REG_DWORD value of 1 removes the option to initiate an Internet search from Windows Desktop Search or the associated Cortana search experience.

The policy applies to web-search functionality exposed by the Windows search interface. It does not disable local search or the indexing of local content.

Notes

Security

Removing the web-search option can prevent users from submitting search terms to an online service through that particular search entry point. The setting is not a general network control: it does not prevent web searches in browsers or other applications, and it does not block all network traffic generated by Windows Search.

DisableWebSearch must not be treated as equivalent to the separate ConnectedSearchUseWeb registry value. Microsoft maps that value to “Don't search the web or display web results in Search,” which controls web queries and web results integrated into Search. Microsoft documents additional policies and network controls when the objective is to restrict connections from Windows components to Microsoft services more comprehensively.

Possible side effects

Users lose the affected web-search option in the Windows search interface. Searches that cannot be satisfied locally therefore cannot be passed directly to an Internet search through that feature.

Notes

The visible effect depends on the Windows version and its search interface. Microsoft continues to list the setting for Windows 10 and Windows 11, but its documentation refers to both Windows Desktop Search and Cortana because the search experience and Cortana integration have changed between Windows releases.

Microsoft documentation

Microsoft Learn: Manage connections from Windows operating system components to Microsoft services

See also

• Entry in the reference