The best tricks for the Windows search bar

In this post we are going to see the best tricks for the Windows 10 and 11 search bar. This tool has been present in the operating system since Windows 7, but it has received important improvements in the most recent versions. Learning how to use it can save you a lot of time when it comes to finding files and performing other tasks..

The search bar is much more than just a text field for searching for documents and other files. It is a tool with which you can solve mathematical operations, make specific searches and make queriesAnd not only that, there are many more functions hidden in this interesting feature, and we tell you all about them here.

The best tricks for the Windows search bar

The search bar is a very useful tool within the Windows operating system. With it you can perform specific searches in files stored on your computer. And you can also use it to make queries on the Internet through the system's default browser. (Edge).

Usually the search bar It is fixed by default on the Desktop taskbar, next to the start button. It looks like a simple text field that takes up valuable space to accommodate shortcuts for other, more necessary applications. Maybe that's why we end up removing it from the taskbar, forgetting about everything we can do with it.

Let's go over the best tricks for the Windows search bar so you know how to get the most out of it. These ideas will be very useful to improve your productivity, whether you work or study using a computer with Windows 10 or Windows 11. You will see that there is a lot you can do with this element, even if you decide to do without its presence on the Desktop.

How to remove the search bar in Windows

Trying out Windows Search Bar tricks doesn't mean you have to pin it to your Desktop. While it is a very useful tool, the truth is that takes up a lot of space on the taskbar. A space that you can make better use of Pinning your favorite apps or those you use most frequently.

Removing the search bar in Windows is easy. Just right-click on the taskbar and click on Taskbar settings. Then, under the Taskbar Items entry, you will see the Search option and a tab with four options:

• Hide: All icons disappear from the search bar.
• Search icon only: Keeps the magnifying glass icon on the taskbar.
• Search icon and search label: Keeps the magnifying glass icon and the word 'search'.
• Search box: Includes the text field to perform written searches directly on the taskbar.

If you choose the first option, Hide, the search bar disappears completely, leaving free space on the taskbar. But how are you going to use the Windows search bar tricks if it's hidden? Easy, You can access it from the keyboard by pressing the Windows key or the Windows + S combination.. Simply start typing and the query will automatically begin.

Perform mathematical operations

If you need to perform math operations, percentage calculations, or conversions, you don't need to open the Calculator app. Instead, go to the search bar and type in your query or write down the operation. The tool automatically performs the calculation and displays it in the same window..

This is one of the best tricks for the Windows search bar, and one of the most useful. You can find out, for example, the equivalent between currencies according to the most recent estimates. And it doesn't matter if you write the mathematical operation using symbols or letters.

Check the weather

The Windows search bar is also useful if you need to know the weather in a specific location. To do this, simply access the tool and write 'The weather in (location)'You don't even have to press the Enter key, as the result appears immediately in the window.

Perform direct searches on the web

Another of the best tricks for the search bar in Windows is to make direct queries on the web. You don't need to open a browser to search for something on the Internet; just type it into the search bar.The system will use the Edge browser, which is the default, to perform the query and display the results.

Run applications

One more thing you can do with the search bar in Windows is launching apps. If you don't have a shortcut for an app on the Desktop, you don't need to search for it in the app list. Open the search bar and type the name of the program or applicationAs the first result, you will see the installed app; press the enter key and the application will open immediately.

Windows Search Bar Tricks: Filters for Searching

To refine the results you get in the search bar you can use the filters that appear at the top of the window. These filters are: All, Applications, Documents, Web, Settings, Folders and PhotosBy default the All filter is selected, which shows all types of results, which can be overwhelming.

So if you're looking for a system configuration option, choose the Settings filter to see only results of that type. And if you're looking for a file or image, select the corresponding filterThis will save you a lot of time and allow you to find what you are looking for in a more efficient way.

In conclusion, it is very useful to know the best tricks for the Windows search bar. The best part is that you can access this tool from the keyboardThis makes it much faster to find the file, app, or setting you're looking for. As you use all the features of the search bar, you'll see how useful it can be to boost your productivity.