What is this and how can I get rid of it?

Sidecar Bob · May 9, 2024

This window frequently opens up on top of what I'm doing. When it opens nothing shows in the taskbar. I tried using Task Manager to find out what it is but as soon as I click anything it goes away. I thought it might be something to do with Windows Copilot because of the logo but I have copilot turned off in group policy editor.
What is it and how can I get rid of it?

Ghot · May 9, 2024

Hello @Sidecar Bob and welcome to ElevenForum.

I'm guessing it's either Copilot or Widgets. I see both in your screen shot.
There's tutorials below, for removing either.

You can get rid of most Windows Aps, easily, with REVO Uninstaller (free)
After REVO uninstalls something, it offers to "scan for leftovers".
Do that, and delete all it finds.

Download Revo Uninstaller Free - Remove unwanted programs easily

Download Revo Uninstaller Free helps you to uninstall software and remove unwanted programs easily. Remove all uninstall leftovers and traces

www.revouninstaller.com

For example.... I removed almost all the Windows Apps.
I don't use them, so I don't need them.

If available in the tutorial... I recommend using the registry patches for disabling or enabling things.
Well... I generally try the tweaks in this order... reg patch, then a command... and last would be group policy.
The reg patches seem easiest and seem to work best.

Most of the time, you need to reboot to apply the changes.

Completely Disable and Remove Copilot in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to completely disable the Windows Copilot preview feature and remove Copilot from the taskbar, Windows Search, and Microsoft Edge for all users in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Copilot in Windows provides centralized generative AI assistance to your users right from...

www.elevenforum.com

Uninstall and Reinstall Widgets in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to uninstall or reinstall widgets for your account or all users in Windows 11. Widgets in Windows are interactive elements that display dynamic content and provide quick access to various apps and features. You can view your location's current weather conditions...

www.elevenforum.com

antspants · May 9, 2024

It looks like a combo of Windows search, copilot ~~& widgets.~~ I cannot replicate.

Ghot · May 9, 2024

How to disable web search when searching your computer for something...

How to disable web search in Windows 10 taskbar

If you would like to disable internet and Store apps being searched from the taskbar, here is how to turn it off.

winaero.com

This works for Windows 11 as well.

Here's more stuff that might come in handy...

Enable or Disable Bing Web Suggested Search Results in Windows Search on Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off showing Bing "Web Searches" suggested search results in Windows Search for your account in Windows 11 Windows Search lets you search from your taskbar to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s on your device, in the cloud, or on the web...

www.elevenforum.com

Enable or Disable Search Highlights in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the Search Highlights graphics icon on the taskbar Search Box for your account or all users in Windows 11. Search Highlights will show an icon or graphics on the right side of the Search Box on the task bar by default. Starting with Windows...

www.elevenforum.com

And here's some unrelated stuff that might come in handy. I call it: NEW Guy Stuff.

Quickie Eleven Forum Setup Guide for new Members

Quickie Interface tour... Quickie set up... At the top right, click on your name, then choose "Preferences". Then go through everything on the left side. Quickie navigation... Click Forums and choose a subforum, OR... Click Forums, then New Posts or What's New Ranks, Trophies...

www.elevenforum.com

Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper and Hasleo Backup Suite - GUIDES

How to use backup software... 1. When everything is working perfectly... make a full Windows backup. 2. Then, if something breaks... restore from the latest backup. 3. Then... try "whatever you were doing" a different way. If it still breaks Windows, then... go to step #2. 4. Repeat...

www.elevenforum.com

Windows 11 Tweaks - Leader Board.

These are tweaks I've seen asked for... many times. They are collected here for easy access. All of these and more can be found in the Eleven Forum Tutorials Make sure to read the "notes" in the various tutorials. At the bottom of the first post in all the "tutorials", there are links to...

www.elevenforum.com

@Sidecar Bob
Pretty much everything you could ever want to do is in, or will be in, the tutorials.

antspants · May 9, 2024

Brink said:
Turn On or Off Search online and include web results in Windows 10

How to Turn On or Off Search online and include web results from Bing in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Brink said:
It'll still work in W11, but:

1) Have to be admin.
2) Only affects current user.
3) It also disables search box suggestions (aka: recent searches) in File Explorer.

Bree · May 9, 2024

Sidecar Bob said:
This window frequently opens up on top of what I'm doing. When it opens nothing shows in the taskbar. I tried using Task Manager to find out what it is but as soon as I click anything it goes away. I thought it might be something to do with Windows Copilot because of the logo but I have copilot turned off in group policy editor.
What is it and how can I get rid of it?

That's Windows Search. You'll get it if you click on Search in the taskbar. You'll also get it if you press WinKey+S. Press the Esc key and it will close.

Sidecar Bob · May 11, 2024

Sorry I didn't reply sooner but I did not receive any email notifications. I have checked my profile and they are turned on and my email address is correct. And there is nothing in my spam folder.

Bree said:
That's Windows Search. You'll get it if you click on Search in the taskbar. You'll also get it if you press WinKey+S. Press the Esc key and it will close.

Windows Search. Interesting. There is no Search button in my taskbar (I always turn garbage like that off) and I can't imagine how I could be pressing Win+S. but the image you posted is definitely what I am seeing. At least I know what it is now.

Re everything else people have suggested, I'll look at all of it closer later on.

Harleygjc · May 11, 2024

I think I may have found a solution for you, if you bring that window up,click the three dots in the upper right corner,goto search settings,under there you should get a window come up for privacy and security,scroll down to more settings and turn off show search highlights,that should get rid of the ads etc!

Sidecar Bob · May 11, 2024

OK, I've turned off Shoe search Highlights in More Settings. I also clicked Windows privacy options under Related settings and turned off Show me suggested content in the Settings app and Show me notifications in the Settings app.
We'll see if that helps.

Sidecar Bob · Nov 9, 2024

The frequency of occurrence decreased after my last post but it didn't completely stop and it has started doing it more frequently again lately.

antspants · Nov 9, 2024

Are you tapping the Win key and S with your finger by accident when typing?

If so, would you like to disable the Win key?

Disable Windows button from displaying Search, etc.

Win11 - Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.3447) Whenever I inadvertently touch the Windows button, near the space bar, this appears => Upload and share screenshots and images - print screen online | Snipboard.io. How do I stop this from happening?

www.elevenforum.com

Sidecar Bob · Nov 9, 2024

I have been known to touch keys accidentally but this most often happens when I'm playing Solitaire or Backgammon while watching TV in the evening and only using the touchpad.

Sidecar Bob · Jan 27, 2025

So 8 months after I started this thread I think I finally have the solution. For most of that time it only opened a few times per week but it has been getting a lot worse lately. This afternoon I googled windows search opens on its own and the first result was this

Prevent Windows Search from randomly launching - Microsoft Support

support.microsoft.com

I went into Settings for the touchpad and changed the setting indicated below to Never. It has only been a few hours but it hasn't opened so far.

What is this and how can I get rid of it?

Member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Well-known member

My Computers My Computers

At a glance

At a glance

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers My Computers

At a glance

At a glance

Well-known member

My Computers My Computers

At a glance

At a glance

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers My Computers

At a glance

At a glance

Well-known member

My Computers My Computers

At a glance

At a glance

Member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Well-known member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers My Computers

At a glance

At a glance

Member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Similar threads

My Computer

My Computers

My Computers

My Computers

My Computers

My Computers

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computers

My Computer

My Computer