How to Disable Open Search on Hover in Windows 11

You may want disable the open search on hover feature in Windows 11 if you find this it not convenient. When you place the mouse cursor over the search box or icon in the taskbar it makes the search pane to appear. This often happens accidentally when the cursor gets too close to the search area.

Microsoft first introduced the new behavior in Windows 11 Build 22621.2215 (KB5029351). The update adds a new policy to manage optional updates, and the new capability to the search box gleam. When you hover over it, the search flyout pane instantly opens without you to click on it. You can disable this behavior by using a new option in Settings, or in the Registry.

So, to disable the open on hover feature for the search box in the taskbar, do the following.

Disable Open Search on Hover

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I.
2. Click on Personalization in the left pane.
3. On the right, select Taskbar.
4. Now, on the next page, expand the Search section.
5. Finally, turn off the Open search on hover (when available) option.

Voila, the search pane will no longer open on its own. You'll have to click on the highlight to open it.

Alternatively, you can apply a Registry tweak. It can be of help if the Settings app doesn't work properly, e.g. it doesn't open. Also, if you automate your Windows setup, you can deploy the Registry setting to save your time.

Registry Method

To disable Windows 11 search open on hover in the Registry, do the following.

1. Right-click the Start button in the taskbar and select Run from the menu.
2. In the Run box, type regedit and press Enter to the Registry editor.
3. Navigate to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds\DSB key. If this key is missing, create it manually.
4. Now, right-click the DSB key in the left pane, and select New > Dword (32-bit) value.
5. Name the new value OpenOnHover. Set its data as follows:
   • 0 - disable opening on hover.
   • 1 - enable opening the search flyout without clicking.

You are done. Now Windows 11 will only open Search when you click the taskbar search box or press Win + S.

Ready-to-use REG files

To save your time, I have created two REG files. You can avoid Registry editing, and/or use them in your customization scripts.

⬇️ Download the REG files in a ZIP archive from this link. Extract the downloaded files into the desktop.

Now, open the Disable_Open_Search_On_Hover.reg file to stop Windows 11 from opening the search flyout automatically. If you are prompted by User Account Control, click on Yes. Finally, click OK in the Registry Editor confirmation to approve the change.

The other REG file, Enable_Open_Search_On_Hover.reg, enables the new on-hover behavior.

You can safely delete the REG files after using them.

Command Prompt (Reg.exe)

In addition to the REG files, you can use the inbox REG.EXE app.  The utility allows modifying the Registry from the command prompt. Also, its options are useful for including batch files.

Open Windows Terminal by pressing Win + X and selecting Terminal from the menu.

Now, execute one of the following commands.

• Disables search on hover: reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds\DSB /v OpenOnHover /t DWORD /d 0 /f.
• Enables the feature: reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds\DSB /v OpenOnHover /t DWORD /d 1 /f

That's it!

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