In October 2025, Microsoft officially discontinued support for Windows 10. This indicates that your computer will cease to receive software updates, security patches, and any technical assistance going forward. To ensure your PC continues to operate efficiently and remains secure from malware, Microsoft advises users to transition to Windows 11. This not only guarantees ongoing support but also introduces enhancements such as new Windows 11 AI functionalities, integration with Android and iOS through Phone Link, and improved security.
However, Windows 11 isn’t automatically configured to meet your requirements initiall. Some default settings may hinder your PC’s performance, while others may be superfluous and even create inconvenience. Fortunately, similar to its forerunners, Windows 11 is highly customizable and grants you control over what you want or do not want to utilize. If you’ve recently installed Windows 11 and wish to optimize your computer, here are five settings that you might consider adjusting.
### Disable Search the web results in the Start menu
The Windows Start menu has made significant progress over the years, incorporating new useful features such as pinned apps, recent files, and intelligent suggestions. However, not every modification in the Start menu is beneficial. Certain additions — like “Search the web” results — merely clutter the interface, particularly since most users rely on the Start menu to find local files and applications, rather than searching the internet. The good news is that it’s possible to disable this feature, although it requires more than simply navigating to Settings. Additionally, there is a different method for disabling “Search the web” results in the Start menu depending on whether you are using Windows Home or Windows Pro.
To eliminate the web results from the Start Menu on your Windows Home, follow these steps:
1. Open Registry Editor from the Start Menu.
2. Click Yes when prompted.
3. Under Computer, expand the folder HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
4. Open the Software folder.
5. Navigate to Policies.
6. Choose Microsoft.
7. Double-click on Windows.
8. Right-click in an empty area in the right-hand panel.
9. Click on New.
10. Select Key.
11. Name the Key as Explorer.
12. Open the Explorer folder.
13. Go to the right-side panel.
14. Right-click in an empty area again.
15. Choose New.
16. Navigate to DWORD (32-bit) Value.
17. Name it “DisableSearchBoxSuggestions.”
18. Double-click on DisableSearchBoxSuggestions to modify it.
19. Alter the Value data from 0 to 1.
20. Click OK to confirm the change.
21. Restart your computer.
After completing this, when you utilize the search bar in the Start Menu, only your local files and applications will appear in the results. If you are using Windows Pro or Enterprise, there is a quicker method to disable web results in the Start Menu. Open “Edit group policy” in the Start Menu and navigate to Administrative Templates under Computer Configuration. Double-click on Windows Components, then Search. Access “Do not allow web search” and set it to Enabled. Repeat this for “Don’t search the web or display web results in Search.” Finally, restart your PC to implement the changes.
### Adjust the apps and placement of the taskbar and Start Menu
Windows 11 underwent several redesigns of the taskbar and Start Menu. Perhaps the most noticeable alteration is the centered taskbar, which resembles the Dock in macOS. The Start Menu now features pinned apps, some of which may not even be installed on your computer. If you are among those who do not prefer the centered taskbar or the default pinned apps in the Start Menu, you can modify these settings in Windows 11.
You have various options for customizing the taskbar. To conceal the search box, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on the taskbar.
2. Select Taskbar settings.
3. Under Taskbar items, change Search to Hide instead of Search box. This will remove the search box from the taskbar. You can also toggle off Task view within the same settings.
To alter the alignment of the Taskbar, do the following:
1. Expand Taskbar behaviors.
2. Change Taskbar alignment from Center to Left.
To remove or pin apps to the taskbar:
1. Right-click on the app you wish to remove from the taskbar.
2. Select Unpin from taskbar.
3. In the Start Menu, search for the app you want to pin to the taskbar.
4. Right-click on the search result that appears.
5. Select Pin to taskbar.
To modify the Start Menu, follow these steps:
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Right-click on the apps you wish to remove from the Pinned section.
3. Select Unpin from Start.
4. In the search bar, type the app you prefer to
