Windows Search Highlights option is missing from setting (Windows 11)

in fact, i noticed it is a deliberate region thing.

i don't know why, but like copilot, it seems the highlight icon is also treated like a DMA law breaking in europe so disabled.

Hello, and thanks for your assistance.

here are more details regarding my OS version:

• Windows 11 HOME edition (x64)
• Version 23H2 (OS Build 22635.4225 ni_release)
• Windows Insider Program, BETA Channel

The issue occurred after testing a Linux distribution using a live USB stick, I powered off my PC and removed the USB. Upon rebooting into my default Windows 11 OS, I noticed that the "Show Search Highlights" option had completely disappeared from the search settings (as shown in the screenshots attached in my original post). This issue was not present before the Linux test.

Regards.

Is this post in the link below yours?

Windows Search Highlights option is missing from setting (Windows 11) - Super Use

I have that setting on my Beta, but mine is Windows 11 Pro. 🤷‍♂️

I don't have the Home edition to check it out. Sorry.

Also, you may want to check the registry as suggested in this link below.

How to Disable Search Highlights in Windows 11 and Windows 10 (winaero.com)

Mine is not configured in the Group Policy.

Disabling this setting turns off search highlights in the start menu search box and in search home. Enabling or not configuring this setting turns on search highlights in the start menu search box and in search home.

Thank you for your reply.

You can try creating a new account to see if the problem persists

The steps are as follows

1. Search for CMD, then run it in administrator mode and enter the following command

net user USERNAME PASSWORD /add

2. After the command runs successfully, enter the following command

net localgroup administrators USERNAME /add

Note: USERNAME PASSWORD can be replaced by the account name and password you want, if you don't need the password, you can not fill in the PASSWORD.

Then check

If the problem persists, it's possible that you've been using linux to test your system and it may have caused some damage.

You can try installing an older version of the Preview Experience Program to see if the problem goes away.

Using ISOs - Windows Insider Program | Microsoft Learn

On top of that, I have seen that in 9.20, there was an update to the windows preview experience program

So I guess this could be a problem with the update as well.

So if none of the above solves your problem, you can give your feedback to the development team.

You can click on the URL below:

Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app - Microsoft Support

The relevant team will regularly review user feedback and hopefully your issue will be resolved soon!

KIrito|Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hello, and thanks for your assistance.

here are more details regarding my OS version:

• Windows 11 HOME edition (x64)
• Version 23H2 (OS Build 22635.4225 ni_release)
• Windows Insider Program, BETA Channel

The issue occurred after testing a Linux distribution using a live USB stick, I powered off my PC and removed the USB. Upon rebooting into my default Windows 11 OS, I noticed that the "Show Search Highlights" option had completely disappeared from the search settings (as shown in the screenshots attached in my original post). This issue was not present before the Linux test.

Regards.

Hello Marco.Marchi2003 and welcome to the Microsoft Community!

According to your feedback, you are experiencing a problem with the “Show Search Highlights” option disappearing from your search settings.

I see that your computer is on the Preview Experience program.

I would like to check with you, what is the version number of your computer?

You can upload the following screenshot to me

Open Settings using the Windows + I shortcut - Click on System in the left panel - Click on the System Information option on the right.

In the “Windows Specifications” section on the right, you can see the details of your current Windows version.

Then you can try right clicking on the taskbar > click on Task Manager.

Go to it and restart “File Explorer”.

I hope you find this information helpful!

Kirito|Microsoft Community Support Specialist