Windows 10: Disable Cortana Web Search in Windows

When searching using the onboard function, Windows 10 does not the only search locally on the computer, but also on the Internet. If you do not need this feature, for example, because you only want to find terms in your own documents, you can disable it in version 1803 (April 2018 update).

Microsoft function updates in practice

The behaviour of the search can be controlled by several registry keys. However, Microsoft changes these settings somewhat with each new function update. The following information refers to Windows 10 version 1803 (April 2018 update, code name: Redstone 4), which we have just installed on a computer. If you already have the specified keys or value names, you only have to pay attention to the appropriate value.

Create registry entries

First, start the registry editor with the command regedit.exe. After OK for User Account Control, open the HKEY_CURRENT_USER branch and navigate to:

Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search. Under this key, you create the two DWORD values AllowSearchToUseLocation and BingSearchEnabled each with the value 0.

This completes the work under HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

Defining a Windows search key

Now switch to the branch:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows. This is where you create the Windows Search subkey. Then create four DWORDs for this key. The values ConnectedSearchUseWebOverMeteredConnections, AllowCortana and ConnectedSearchUseWeb each receive the value 0, while you assign the value 1 for DisableWebSearch.

Testing the Search Mask Functions

The new settings apply immediately without restarting the computer. Cortana no longer greets you in the search mask and asks you what she can do for you. Instead, there is only a hint that you can start searching for apps, files and settings. The search results also no longer contain web hits, but only local results.