How to Configure Search Settings and Permissions in Windows 11?

To ensure that you don’t end up watching inappropriate content, Windows 11 includes a SafeSearch feature. The SafeSearch feature of Windows 11 filters abusive or unsuitable content for you with the help of its AI. Sometimes surfing the Internet, you might come across content that’s not appropriate for you, such as extreme violence, abusive content, adult text or images, etc.

This gearupwindows article will guide you on configuring the search settings and their permissions on Windows 11.

How to Configure SafeSearch on Windows 11?

To impose restrictions on Windows 11 Search, do the following:-

Step 1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows + I keys.

Step 2. When Windows Settings opens, select Privacy & security from the left sidebar.

Step 3. On the opposite pane, click the Search permissions tab.

Step 4. In the “Search permissions” settings, you will find the options for “SafeSearch.” These are the following:-

  • Strict – Filter out adult text, images, and videos from my web results.
  • Moderate – Filter adult images and videos but not text from my web results.
  • Off – Don’t filter adult content from my web results.

Choose an option wisely from SafeSearch. The SafeSearch changes will override your Bing search setting so that you don’t have to configure it manually.

How to Clear Search History on Windows 11?

To clear your search history on Windows 11, use the following steps:-

Step 1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows + I keys.

Step 2. When Windows Settings opens, select Privacy & security from the left sidebar.

Step 3. On the opposite pane, click the Search permissions tab.

Step 4. In the “Search permissions” settings, scroll down to find the “History” section. Then click the button labeled Clear device search history.

Using the above steps, you can easily erase your device history.

How to Stop Saving History on Windows 11?

Due to some reason, if you don’t want to store the search history on your computer, do the following:-

Step 1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows + I keys.

Step 2. When Windows Settings opens, select Privacy & security from the left sidebar.

Step 3. On the opposite pane, click the Search permissions tab.

Step 4. In the “Search permissions” settings, toggle the switch to the on/off position under the “Search history on this device” option. When this option is turned off, the search history of Bing will not be stored on your PC.

How to Erase Recent Activities on Windows 11?

If you want to clear recent activities history and don’t want to leave a trace of your activities, do the following steps:-

Step 1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R keys.

Step 2. In the Run box, type the following and then hit Enter from the keyboard:-

recent

Step 3. When the Recent folder opens, click on the three horizontal dots on the toolbar, and then press Select all.

Step 4. Now, click the Trash button at the top to erase it all at once.

That’s it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Windows 11 provides a SafeSearch feature that helps to filter out abusive and unsuitable content for the user. By configuring the SafeSearch settings, users can set restrictions on the search results and avoid viewing inappropriate content. The search history and recent activities can also be cleared or turned off, giving users control over their privacy and data. These steps are easy to follow and can be done in a few simple clicks. Overall, by following the guidelines mentioned in this article, users can enhance their online safety and browsing experience on Windows 11.

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