- Microsoft modifies Windows 11 search in the EEE to comply with the EU digital market law
- Start the menu search now separates local results on web results, which remain supplied by Bing
- Other modifications focused on the DMA include on -board uninstall and the search for invalid bing, but only for users of the EEA
Microsoft refines the Windows 11 search function in the Start menu for users in the European Economic Domaine (EEE) to comply with the new EU rules (in particular the law on digital markets, or DMA). Normally, when you are looking for in the Start menu, Windows 11 displays the results of your computer and the Internet (using the Microsoft, Bing) search engine. But now it seems that Microsoft will make these search results more obviously separated.
Mspoweruser reports that the modification can be seen in a new Windows 11 overview version, the construction number 27764. One Windows Insider and X Poster @ Alex290292 shared a screenshot showing this new user interface (IU) New start menu with two sections in the search window; One labeled “Windows” and the other “bing web search” (note that their Windows 11 language is defined in German).
The search will soon be the difference between “Windows” and “Web search for Microsoft Bing”. pic.twitter.com/glodnenaeuDecember 11, 2024
Windows 11 search for a boost from the EU
This change follows several other updates that give users more control over how they use Windows 11, including the introduction of personalized web search providers in Windows search, and the possibility of uninstall Microsoft Edge ( The default web browser that is preinstalled in Windows 11) from their device and deactivate web bing. These changes have also been made to comply with the DMA, so although the EU does not leave its regulatory position, Microsoft plays the ball for the moment.
The EU digital digital market law (DMA) is a set of rules designed to prevent large technological companies from using their domination to box competition. Since Windows is extremely popular, Microsoft must play just and not use it as a way to force people to use other services, such as pushing Bing and Edge instead of letting users choose their own search engine or browser . This is where the DMA intervenes: to make sure that companies like Microsoft do not unjust users to their own products when they should offer real choices.
Another intriguing change that we can expect on the start menu of Windows 11 is soon when you right-click a pinned application there, you will see new “jump lists” that appear. As MSPOWERUSE explains, a jump list is a Flyout menu that offers quick access to recent files, folders or tasks associated with an application by right -clicking on its icon in the taskbar or the Start menu.
Microsoft’s decision to separate the local and web search results from Windows 11 may seem like a simple adjustment, but it also highlights the reluctance of the company to make a simple change like this without having a reason by a external influence (in this case the EU). The closely integration of bing in the search features of Windows 11 seems to be motivated by Microsoft’s commercial ambitions, namely directing more user traffic to Bing in the hope of increasing user engagement with the Microsoft and D services ‘Get higher advertising revenues. Checking the gap with the Google market leader is also an ambition of Microsoft.
The separation of Windows 11 search results can effectively disrupt these objectives a little, but it is in the interest of taking care of a greater choice of users.
Welcome welcome (but only in Europe)
The fact that this update only applies to the EEE suggests that Microsoft does not want to deploy it more widely, probably because it would reduce the passive traffic that Bing receives from Windows 11 users in the world. From the user’s point of view, this change is a welcome improvement, in particular for those which are frustrated by the way in which the start of the start -up menu is congested and inconsistent.
The main concern of the current configuration is that it combines local and web results in a way that may not always serve the best interests of users.
Finding a file or an application on your PC, to meet a content mixture which is actually on Your device and your web suggestions (which often feel out of words) can be more distracting than useful. By giving users a clearer distinction between the results on the devices and online, this change guarantees that Windows Search serves its planned objective, in particular by finding what you need on your PC first, rather than acting Like a disguised bridge to Microsoft’s services.
