Windows 10 search option disabling for kiosk mode

Question

I want to disable search option. when i click on windows button or click on search bar and type something then it should not turn up any result. I want to do this for kiosk mode and in normal mode the users can search anything.

Below are the keys I have tried for disabling search option but did not work.

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v AllowCortana /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v DisableWebSearch /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v ConnectedSearchUseWeb /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v AllowSearchToUseLocation /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" /v DisableSearchBoxSuggestions /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add "%USERSID%\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" /v DisableSearchBoxSuggestions /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add "%USERSID%\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoFind /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoFind /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer /v NoSearchAllProgramsInStartMenu /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer /v NoSearchInStartMenu /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer /v NoSearchCommInStartMenu /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add "%USERSID%\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v Start_SearchPrograms /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

reg add "%USERSID%\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v Start_SearchControlPanel /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Answer 1

Hi Yadav, Akanksha,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum.

Thank you for sharing the details and the steps you’ve already tried. Windows Search behavior differs between modern and legacy components, which is why some registry settings may not affect the Start menu search experience as expected.

For your scenario - disabling search in kiosk mode while keeping it available for normal users - the following approach is recommended and reliable:

Disable the Windows Search service - Windows Search relies on the Windows Search (WSearch) service. Disabling this service prevents search results from appearing when users type in the Start menu or search box.

Steps (for kiosk mode):

• Stop the Windows Search service: sc stop WSearch
• Disable the service startup: sc config WSearch start= disabled

To restore search for normal users:

• sc config WSearch start= delayed-auto
• sc start WSearch

This method fully disables search functionality at the system level.

Optional: Hide the search box (visual only) - If you want to reduce visibility of search (without fully disabling it), you can hide the search UI.

• Use this command line: reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v SearchboxTaskbarMode /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
• Note: This hides the search box but does not disable search functionality on its own.

Disclaimer: Generally, modifying registry subkeys or work group is intended for advanced users, administrators, and IT Professionals. It can help fix some problems, however, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For further protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs.

I hope this helps you implement a clean and controlled kiosk experience. Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 2

For a kiosk user where Start opens in the Apps view, use the ADMX-backed Start menu policy that restricts search to apps only. This prevents searching files, settings, and the web from the Apps view, which is typically what is exposed in a kiosk.

Configure this policy for the kiosk user account only (so normal users remain unaffected):

1. Use the ADMX-backed policy DisableGlobalSearchOnAppsView (Search just apps from the Apps view).
2. This maps to the following registry value under the kiosk user hive:
   • Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
   • Value name: DisableGlobalSearchOnAppsView
   • Type: REG_DWORD
   • Data: 1 (enable policy)

Example command when running in the kiosk user context:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" /v DisableGlobalSearchOnAppsView /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Notes:

• This policy only applies when the Apps view is set as the default Start view (which is typical for assigned-access/kiosk configurations).
• When enabled, searching from the Apps view will only search the list of installed apps; it will not return files, settings, or web results.
• Do not apply this to non‑kiosk users if they should retain full search functionality.

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References:

• Policy CSP - ADMX\_StartMenu