Turn off Windows Search AutoComplete
- Policy ID
- RestrictWSAutoComplete
- Scope
- Computer Configuration, User Configuration
- Supported on
- At least Internet Explorer 8.0
- Source
- Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
- Category
- Windows Components › Internet Explorer › Internet Settings › AutoComplete
Description
This policy setting allows you to prevent Windows Search AutoComplete from providing results in the Internet Explorer Address bar.
Windows Search AutoComplete suggests possible matches when a user is entering a web address in the browser Address bar. This feature provides more relevant results in the browser Address bar.
If you enable this policy setting, Internet Explorer does not use Windows Search AutoComplete for providing relevant results in the Address bar. The user cannot change this setting.
If you disable this policy setting, Internet Explorer uses Windows Search AutoComplete to provide relevant results in the Address bar. The user cannot change this setting.
If you do not configure this policy setting, the user can choose to turn the Use Windows Search setting on or off.
Note: If you enable this policy setting, feeds do not appear in the Address bar. This does not affect subscribing to feeds and interacting with them through the Favorites Center.
Registry
- EnabledScopesREG_DWORD
- EnabledScopesREG_DWORD