If I am searching my local Hard drive, why does SearchApp.exe need to make connections to Microsoft?

PowerShell Script:

$Process = @{

    Name='Process'

    Expression={

        # return process path

        (Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue).Path

    }

}

$IpOwner = @{

    Name='RemoteAuthority'

    Expression={

        $ip = $_.RemoteAddress

        $info = Invoke-RestMethod -Uri "http://ipinfo.io/$ip/json"

        '{0} ({1})' -f $info.Org, $info.City

    }

}

get all connections to port 443 (HTTPS)

Get-NetTCPConnection -RemotePort 443 -State Established |

  # where there is a remote address

  Where-Object RemoteAddress |

  # and resolve IP and Process ID

  Select-Object -Property $IPOwner, RemoteAddress, OwningProcess, $Process #| Out-GridView

AS8068 Microsoft Corporation (Redmond)    131.253.33.254         23572 C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe

AS8068 Microsoft Corporation (Redmond)    13.107.246.13          23572 C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe

AS8075 Microsoft Corporation (Dubai)      20.45.71.249           23572 C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe

AS8068 Microsoft Corporation (Redmond)    204.79.197.222         23572 C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe

AS8068 Microsoft Corporation (Redmond)    204.79.197.200         23572 C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe

Gathering data?  Does it need to know that I searched my local hard drive for "test.txt'?

I agree. This is a serious issue.  We need more control of what inside (the home, office) entities are communicating with the outside.

Hi Elise.

I have all Windows 10 online integration turned off.

Despite that, it constantly was connecting to Microsoft very often. Could you explain more? That is serious issue.

BTW, I have never seen online search results in Start Menu, at least in my country, even on the latest update.

Hi, I'm Elise, an independent advisor and I'd be happy to help with your issue.

I believe this is because it always does a combined web and local drive search, it can be looking for additional files in your cloud storage or even just a search engine term similar to your file name.

Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Kind Regards,

Elise