My search Highlights picture that i was getting daily disappeared and there is no option like "Search permissions" or "Show search highlights".

Dharmik punani 20 Reputation points
2026-10-10T17:55:33.4733333+00:00

I am using Windows 11 Home Single Language, Version 26H2 (OS Build 26300.9550). Previously, my taskbar search box displayed daily changing images through Windows Search Highlights. Recently, these images stopped appearing.

When I click the taskbar search box, the search panel opens and displays recent searches, but the rest of the panel is mostly blank. I have confirmed that the taskbar search display is set to “Search box.” In Settings → Privacy & security → Search, I could not find a Search Highlights option.

I also tried restarting Windows Search and checking Registry settings, but the issue remains. I would prefer not to make additional Registry changes without knowing whether they are necessary.

Questions:

Why are Search Highlights images no longer appearing?

Is there a setting or Windows service that controls these daily images?

How can I restore the feature safely without reinstalling Windows?

Any help or official troubleshooting steps would be appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Task Bar
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Answer accepted by question author
Hendrix-V 19,940 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-10-11T05:28:09.7666667+00:00

Hi Dharmik punani,

Thanks for providing the Windows version and the steps you have already tried.

Since the Search panel still opens but Search Highlights and its corresponding Settings option are missing, this does not necessarily point to something that another Registry edit will resolve. The documentation cited in the AI answer confirms the Search Highlights policy, but does not document a consumer Settings path for that toggle on the build you listed.

I would therefore hold off on additional Registry changes. You can safely continue using Windows Search without Search Highlights while keeping Windows updated normally.

I hope this helps you avoid unnecessary changes while keeping the system stable.

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  1. _AW_ 69,916 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-10-11T14:42:11.4566667+00:00

    Search Highlights and promotional contents have been removed from Search in Windows 11 26H2.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-10T17:55:51.2033333+00:00

    Search Highlights is the feature that controls those daily images. On supported Windows versions, disabling AllowSearchHighlights turns off search highlights in the Start menu search box on Windows 11. If it is enabled or not configured, search highlights are turned on.

    For a home device, the safest supported steps are:

    1. Check for Windows updates
      • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
      • Install available updates and restart.
      • This is a recommended first step for Windows Search issues.
    2. Restart the Windows Font Cache Service
      • In the taskbar search box, type services.msc and open Services.
      • Right-click Windows Font Cache Service > Stop.
      • Test Search.
      • Then right-click Windows Font Cache Service > Start.
    3. Reset Windows Search
      • Microsoft recommends resetting Windows Search for Windows 11 and later Windows 10 versions.
      • Before doing this, check the Windows version at Start > Settings > System > About.
      • Resetting Windows Search does not affect files, but it can temporarily affect search-result relevance.
      • This reset uses PowerShell and requires administrator permissions. If script execution is restricted, the execution policy must be changed as described in the troubleshooting guidance.
    4. If Search is still mostly blank, regenerate the Search app data
      • This is a more advanced repair step.
      • Warning: this procedure includes deleting a registry key and package data. Incorrect registry changes can cause serious problems, so back up the registry first.
      • For Windows 11, the documented repair includes deleting:
        • %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy
        • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search
      • Then re-register the package with: 
             Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\Appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register
      • Restart the PC afterward.
    5. Test with another Windows account
      • If Search works in a newly created account, the issue is likely tied to the current profile.
    6. Submit feedback if the issue continues
      • In Feedback Hub, submit it under Desktop Environment > Search.

    About the missing setting:

    • The provided documentation confirms the policy and MDM setting that controls Search Highlights, but it does not provide a consumer Settings path for a Show search highlights toggle on the build listed.
    • The missing Search permissions page or toggle in Settings is not explained in the provided documentation.
    • The supported conclusion from the documentation is that Search Highlights is controlled by the Search feature/policy, and blank Search UI should be handled with standard Windows Search troubleshooting first.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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