Finally, an update that nearly all Windows users can look forward to as Microsoft is prepping to remove those annoying promotional suggestions from search results. Presently, only select Windows Insiders are being given access to the overhauled Windows Search, but hopefully it won’t be too much longer until it reaches the main channels and the greater public will have one less force-fed advertising source. The following per Windows Blog:
“Promotional content has been removed from web results. Web results show the most relevant answer, instead of first showing related products and promotions, helping search feel more focused and less distracting.”
– WIndows Blog
The removal of promotional content, aka ads, is only one of several changes being made to Windows Search. Result sources will be more clearly identified, giving users a better idea of whose answers they are viewing. The search home screen is being simplified to make it more simplified and less cluttered. Furthermore, a new setting in privacy & security will allow users to toggle Microsoft Store or Web suggestions on or off.
“You’re in control of web and Microsoft Store results. A new setting in Settings > Privacy & Security > Search lets you choose whether web and Microsoft Store suggestions appear alongside local results.”
– Windows Blog
Other improvements include more optimized searching when a user either misspells or otherwise incorrectly types search criteria (i.e., utlook instead of Outlook). App and setting searches will be prioritized to help users find system settings more quickly, and result ranking is said to also have been improved upon. File search results will begin populating after the first two characters have been input, as well as giving folks a quicker experience in finding documents and recently downloaded content from the cloud.
It sounds as if Microsoft has been listening to its user base, and it’s working on a swath of improvements when it comes to searching for the essentials in Windows. These updates will be a welcome sight following many months of others that either broke, crashed, or hindered Windows’ basic functions. Users will no doubt also enjoy less non-helpful, unasked-for, “promotional” content thrown their way.
Discussion (1 reply)
Join Discussion →It should ne a default in pro like it is in enterprise to have zero ads.