This tutorial will show you how to open and close the Microsoft Edge desktop search bar for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The desktop search bar powered by Microsoft Edge allows you to search the web and launch your favorite sites directly from your desktop without having to open the Edge browser first.
You can drag the desktop search bar to any location you want on your desktop. The search bar will open at the same location on your desktop as last closed.
You can turn on and off having the Microsoft Edge desktop search bar automatically run at startup.
If you open the desktop search bar, it will remain open, even if you close Microsoft Edge.
Contents
- Option One: Open Desktop Search Bar from More Tools Menu in Microsoft Edge
- Option Two: Show Desktop Search Bar using Keyboard Shortcut
- Option Three: Show Desktop Search Bar from Taskbar Notification Icon
- Option Four: Close Desktop Search Bar from Search Bar
- Option Five: Close Desktop Search Bar from Taskbar Notification Icon
EXAMPLE: Microsoft Edge desktop search bar
1 Open Microsoft Edge.
2 Click/tap on the Settings and more (Alt+F) 3 dots button. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on More tools.
4 Click/tap on Launch search bar.
This option is only available if the desktop search bar has already been opened.
This option can be handy to show the desktop search bar when another window may be on top of it hiding the search bar.
1 Press the Win + Shift + F keys.
This option is only available if the desktop search bar has already been opened.
This option can be handy to show the desktop search bar when another window may be on top of it hiding the search bar.
1 Click/tap on the Microsoft Edge "Search bar" notification icon on the taskbar corner. (see screenshot below)
2 Click/tap on Open search bar.
1 Click/tap on the Settings and more (3 dots) button on the desktop search bar. (see screenshot below step 2)
2 Click/tap on Close search bar.
3 If prompted, click/tap on Yes, close to confirm. (see screenshot below)
You'll only get prompted if Auto-launch search bar is turned on.
1 Click/tap on the Microsoft Edge "Search bar" notification icon on the taskbar corner. (see screenshot below step 2)
2 Click/tap on Quit.
3 If prompted, click/tap on Yes, close to confirm. (see screenshot below)
You'll only get prompted if Auto-launch search bar is turned on.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
