How to fix
What is new icon
on Windows

Hello. This new icon showed up and I don't know what that is. I updated the machine and I want to know what that is how to disable that icon in the Windows Search bar. I have never seen that and it is useless. It is a random image, I think, not an actual icon, so it makes no sense to me. How to change it back?

What is this new icon in the Windows Search bar, and how to disable it - the question that users often list in various forums online these days.[ref en-1] This is the issue that appears after the update of Windows 10 or Windows 11.[ref en-2] This is the Search highlights function that can be turned off.

Microsoft recently improved the feature of search on Windows machines and introduced this Search Highlights feature. This is the periodical update with new content centered around the events online or you, your organizations. The feature also includes the illustrations that appear on the Taskbar and on the Search bar too. This is what confuses people.

The feature delivers interesting and notable moments each day and includes educational moments in your region and on a global scale. The feature started to appear back in march with the 2022 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 10 that month.[ref en-3] You can click on the illustration and get more details at a glance, but not everyone is happy about this feature.

This new icon in the Windows Search bar is questionable for some, and users want to know how to disable it. The application can be useful for schools, and organizations because it helps to explore files and browse through people's charts. It is possible to disable it.

1. Turn of Search Highlights

• Right-click an empty area of the Taskbar.
• Click Search.
• Then Uncheck Search Highlights.
• This is how you turn them off.

2. Manage Search Highlights with Policy

• Search for Edit group policy.
  

  

• Choose Computer Configuration.
  

  

• Find and select Administrative Templates.
• Hit Windows Components.
  

  

• Choose Search.
• Double-click Allow search highlights.
  

  

• Here you can disable or enable the feature. Non configured leases the function enabled by default.

3. Changing the Taskbar behavior

• Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
• Click on Taskbar behaviors.
• Uncheck the box to Show recent searches when I hover over the search icon.

 4. Customize the search box

• Right-click on the Taskbar.
• In the pop-up menu select search.
• You can see three sub-menus for customizing the search box.
• Select the Disabled menu to disable/remove the search box from taskbar.
• Choose Show search icon menu to show only the search icon.
• Select Show search box menu to show the search box (Windows 10 default) in taskbar.