Edge Address Bar
Mastering Search & Site Suggestions

Introduction Understanding Search Suggestions in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge, built on the Chromium engine, offers a seamless browsing experience. The address bar is key: it allows you to type in website URLs and search the web. By default, it provides search and site suggestions based on what you type. This guide explores how to control these suggestions to improve both your browsing speed and your privacy.

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable search and site suggestions in the address bar of the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser. We'll cover the settings within Edge and provide options to apply changes for all users via the Registry Editor.

Option 1 Enable/Disable in Edge Settings

The easiest way to manage search suggestions is through the Edge settings:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.

2. Click the three dots (...) in the top-right corner and select 'Settings'.

3. In the Settings menu, click on 'Privacy, search, and services' on the left and then select 'Address bar' under the 'Services' section on the right.

4. Toggle 'Show me search and site suggestions using my typed characters' to your preferred setting: on (enabled) or off (disabled).

5. Close the Settings tab.

Option 2 Enable/Disable for All Users via REG File

For system administrators, modifying the registry allows you to control search suggestions for all users. This involves using a REG file to modify the 'SearchSuggestEnabled' policy.

Important: You must be signed in as an administrator to use this method.

1. Open the Registry Editor (search for 'regedit' in the Start Menu).

2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

3. Create the SearchSuggestEnabled DWORD value (if it doesn't exist):

- 0 (Disabled): Never use search suggestions.

- 1 (Enabled): Always use search suggestions.

- Not Set (Default): Users can choose in Edge Settings.

The downloadable .reg files will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

To Force Enable:

*Download the following REG file: Force_enable_search_suggestions_in_Microsoft_Edge.reg

- This sets search suggestions to always be enabled.

To Force Disable:

*Download the following REG file: Force_disable_search_suggestions_in_Microsoft_Edge.reg

- This sets search suggestions to always be disabled.

To Restore Default:

*Download the following REG file: Default_user_choice_search_suggestions_in_Microsoft_Edge.reg

- This allows users to configure the setting within Edge.

4. Double-click the downloaded .reg file to merge it into the registry. Click 'Run', 'Yes' (UAC prompt), 'Yes', and 'OK' when prompted.

5. Close and reopen Microsoft Edge for the changes to take effect.

6. You can now delete the downloaded .reg file.

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Optimize your browsing experience with customizable search suggestions.

Microsoft Edge User

Privacy Understanding Considerations

Microsoft Edge sends data to your default search provider to enhance search suggestions. This includes typed characters (if the feature is enabled), and information about your selection. Bing, as the default search provider, uses a resettable identifier to understand search queries. Your IP address and cookies are also used to improve the relevance of search results. If you are concerned about privacy, you may wish to disable the show search suggestions option in your settings, or consider using a search provider that offers greater privacy controls.

If Microsoft Edge detects sensitive information (credentials, local file names), it won't send typed text to the search provider. For more details, review the Microsoft Edge Privacy Whitepaper.

Conclusion Customizing Your Edge Experience

By following these steps, you can easily control the behavior of search and site suggestions in Microsoft Edge. Whether you prefer the convenience of suggestions or prioritize privacy, you have the tools to tailor Edge to your specific needs.