Windows 8.1 disable web search

I like the Windows 8 search feature as it allows you to quickly find settings, programs and other items with a quick text search. However, I do not like the new Window 8.1 Bing web searches that get integrated into the search pane 🙁

Windows 8.1 web search results/suggestions

Windows 8.1 web search results/suggestions

The web searches:
-make the entire process seem slower and less responsive
-raise privacy issues, as your searches (which may be intended to be local and private) are sent to MS
-make the results more confusing (i.e. why clutter a search for remote desktop with a ton of web links?!)
-use valuable internet data
The list of negatives go on and on…

Thankfully, the web search “feature” can be disabled:
#1 Go to the same search screen we have been discussing (charms bar, mouse to upper right hand corner, search magnifying glass icon)
#2 Type in “web search”
#3 click the “Choose whether to include search suggestions and results from Bing” option

Choose whether to include search suggestions and results from Bing

Choose whether to include search suggestions and results from Bing

#4 Set “Use Bing to search online” to OFF!

Disable Bing search results

Disable Bing search results

#5 Voila! Enjoy search results on Windows 8.1 without web searches 🙂

Computer search results without web results!

Computer search results without web results!

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