Quick fix: Microsoft Edge inserts itself into Windows Search results and Start menu. Disable via registry: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search\BingSearchEnabled = 0 and HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\HideFirstRunExperience = 1. For Pro/Enterprise, use Group Policy under Microsoft Edge.

You search for an app in Start. Suggestions include Edge bookmarks, Bing web results, and Edge profile suggestions. You don’t want Edge content in OS-level search. You want OS search to find OS apps.

Symptom: Edge inserts its bookmarks, history, or Bing results into Windows Search.
Affects: Windows 11 with Microsoft Edge installed.
Fix time: 5 minutes.

What gets pulled into Windows Search

Windows Search has multiple data sources: file system (via Search Indexer), installed apps, Bing web search, Microsoft Account-synced content, and (with Edge installed) Edge bookmarks/history. Each can be enabled or disabled.

Method 1: Disable Bing in Windows Search

Open regedit.
Navigate to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search.
Create DWORD BingSearchEnabled = 0.
Set CortanaConsent = 0.
Sign out and back in.

Method 2: Group Policy

gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Search.
Open Do not allow web search. Set to Enabled.
Open Don’t search the web or display web results in Search. Set to Enabled.
For Edge specifically: Microsoft Edge → Prevent Microsoft Edge from offering itself in Windows Search. Set to Enabled.

Method 3: Uninstall Edge integrations

For aggressive removal: open Edge → edge://settings/search.
Toggle off Show search suggestions in the address bar.
Disable any Edge-related search providers.
For complete Edge removal: not recommended (it’s integrated with Windows), but use third-party Edge removal scripts at your own risk.

Verification

Press Start, type a search query. Results show only installed apps and files, no Bing/Edge suggestions.
Search box in taskbar doesn’t show web suggestions.

If none of these work

If Edge still shows in search after registry+GPO, the search results may be served via Cortana — disable Cortana entirely if not used. For managed accounts, your tenant may enforce certain search categories.

Bottom line: Disable Bing search and Edge integration via registry or Group Policy. Search becomes local-only.