Turn off Search Companion content file updates: registry value DisableContentFileUpdatesComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\SearchCompanion

Policy ID: SearchCompanion_DisableFileUpdates
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: System › Internet Communication Management › Internet Communication settings

Registry

DisableContentFileUpdates

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\SearchCompanion Current key

Enabled value: 1
Disabled value: 0

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\SearchCompanion]

; Options (use only one)
; Enabled
"DisableContentFileUpdates"=dword:00000001
; Disabled
"DisableContentFileUpdates"=dword:00000000

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Enabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\SearchCompanion" /v "DisableContentFileUpdates" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Disabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\SearchCompanion" /v "DisableContentFileUpdates" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\SearchCompanion' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Enabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\SearchCompanion' -Name 'DisableContentFileUpdates' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Disabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\SearchCompanion' -Name 'DisableContentFileUpdates' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null