Cloud Content Search: disable it in Windows 11

Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system runs local and remote searches when users use the search functionality. A relative recent addition is the ability to find cloud files. Windows Search may return content from OneDrive, Outlook and other Microsoft services alongside local results.

Some Windows users may find cloud search functionality useful, especially if they use OneDrive or Outlook. Others may want to disable the feature, as they may have no need for it or are concerned about privacy.

The operating system’s search uses connected Microsoft, work or school accounts, automatically when users sign-in with those.

Windows 11 users may connect personal or school/work accounts independently of that in the Settings:

1. Select Start and select Settings, or use the keyboard shortcut Windows-I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accounts > Email & accounts.
3. Locate “Accounts used by other apps”.
4. Select “Add a Microsoft account” to add a personal account.
5. Select “Add a work or school account” to add an organizational account.

You are asked to provide the username and password for the account to add it.

Here is what happens when Cloud Content Search is enabled

Users who use a personal Microsoft account will see items from OneDrive, Outlook and other Microsoft services in Windows Search. A search for a filename may, for example, return files found on OneDrive.

Additionally, results will be personalized when searching the web or getting web search suggestions in Windows Search. Bing searches in the Windows search box will earn users Microsoft Rewards points.

Work or school accounts connected to Windows 11 may see organizational content returned in Windows searches. This may include content from OneDrive for Business, Outlook, SharePoint and other Microsoft services.

Disabling cloud-based searches in Windows

Windows 11 includes options to disable cloud content search functionality. The functionality is enabled by default and users need to become active to turn it off.

The following guide provides step by step instructions on disabling cloud content search in Windows.

1. Open Start and select Settings, or use the shortcut Windows-I to open Settings.
2. Select Privacy & Security from the sidebar on the left.
3. Click on Search permissions.
4. Two Cloud Content Search options are available:
   • Microsoft account — handles personal account content.
   • Work or School account — for users signed-in with these types of accounts.
5. Toggle one or both of the options to the Off state.

Windows 11 won’t pull data from remote Microsoft services, such as OneDrive, Bing or Outlook anymore, when turned off.

Windows 10 also includes options to turn off the feature. Here is how that is done on Windows 10 devices:

1. Select Start and then Settings to open the Settings application.
2. Select Search from the available categories in the Settings app.
3. Find Cloud content search.
4. Toggle Microsoft account and/or Work or School account to Off to disable the feature.

Turning off cloud searches with the Group Policy Editor

Administrators may use the Group Policy Editor to turn off Cloud Content Search for all users of the operating system.

Note: The Group Policy Editor is only available in professional and enterprise / education editions of Windows 11. Windows 11 Home systems need to make the change in the Registry; this is explained further down below.

1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows-R to open the run box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press the Enter-key to start the Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
4. Locate Allow Cloud Search on the right-side and double-click on the policy.
5. Change the state from “Not Configured” to “Enabled.
6. Use the menu under Options to select “Disable Cloud Search” to turn it off.
7. Select OK to apply the change.
8. Close the Group Policy Editor.
9. Restart the PC.

Disabling Cloud Search in the Registry

Home edition users need to make the change in the Registry directly. It applies the same policy.

1. Open the Start Menu, type regedit.exe and press the Enter-key to launch the Registry Editor.
2. Confirm the security prompt that Windows displays.
3. Use the hierarchical structure on the left to go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Search
   • If one of the keys is not available, right-click on the previous key and select New > Key. Name it accordingly to create the path.
4. Search for the Dword AllowCloudSearch on the right side.
   • If it is not there, right-click on Windows Search and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
   • Name it AllowCloudSearch.
5. Double-click on AllowCloudSearch.
6. Set its value to 0 to turn off Cloud Search for all users.