- Microsoft changes Windows 11 search in the EEA to comply with EU digital markets
- Start menu search now separates local results on units from web results that remain driven by Bing
- Other DMA-driven changes include uninstalling edge and deactivating bing search but only for EEA users
Microsoft Finely signes Windows 11’s search function in the start menu for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) to comply with new EU rules (specifically Digital Markets ACT or DMA). Usually, when searching the start menu, Windows 11 shows results from both your computer and the Internet (using Microsoft’s search engine, Bing). But now it seems that Microsoft will make these search results more obviously separate.
MSPowerUser reports that the change can be seen in a new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, Build Number 27764. One Windows Insider and X Poster @Alex290292 Selected a Screenshot Showing This New Start Menu User Interface (UI) with two sections in the search window; One labeled “Windows” and the other “Web Search from Bing” (note that their Windows 11 language is set to German).
The search will soon distinguish between “Windows” and “Web Search from Microsoft Bing”. pic.twitter.com/glodnenaeuDecember 11, 2024
Windows 11’s search is shaking for a push from the EU
This change follows several other updates that give users more control over how they use Windows 11, including the introduction of custom web search providers’ results in Windows search, and the ability to uninstall Microsoft Edge (the default web browser that comes pre -installed in Windows 11) from their device and Disable Bing Web Search. These changes were also brought in to comply with DMA, so even though the EU is not charging its legislative attitude, Microsoft is playing now.
The EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a set of rules designed to prevent large tech companies from using their dominance to box competition. Since Windows is hugely popular, Microsoft has to play fair and not use it as a way to force people to use its other services, such as pushing Bing and Edge instead of letting users choose their own search engine or browser. This is where DMA comes in: To ensure that companies like Microsoft do not unreasonably control users against their own products when offering real choices.
Another exciting change that we can soon expect to Windows 11’s start menu is when you right-click an app that is attached there, you will see new ‘Jump lists’ that appear. As explained by MspowerUser, a jumping list is a Flyout menu that provides quick access to recent files, folders or tasks linked to an app by right-clicking the icon on the taskbar or start menu.
Microsoft’s decision to separate Windows 11’s local and web seeker results may seem like a straightforward fine -tuning, but it also highlights the company’s reluctance to make a simple change like this without having a reason for an external influence (in this case the EU). Integrating Bing close to Windows 11’s search features is motivated by Microsoft’s business ambitions, namely to want to direct more user traffic to Bing in the hope of increasing user engagement with Microsoft services and getting higher ad revenue. Closing the gap with the market leader Google is also probably an ambition for Microsoft.
Separating Windows 11’s search results can effectively interfere with these goals a bit, but it is in the interest to support larger user choices.
A welcome tidy (but only in Europe)
The fact that this update applies only to the EEA suggests that Microsoft is not eager to roll it out more far, probably because it would reduce the passive traffic bing receives from Windows 11 users around the world. From a user perspective, this change is a welcome improvement, especially for those who are frustrated by how messy and inconsistent the starting menu can feel.
The primary concern with the current setup is that it combines local and web results in a way that may not always serve users’ best interests.
Searching for a file or app on your PC, only to be greeted with a mixture of content that is actually on Your devices and web suggestions (which often feel irrelevant) may be more distracting than useful. By giving users a clearer distinction between on-device and online results, this change ensures that Windows search serves its intended purpose, especially finding what you need on your PC first instead of acting as a Disguised Gateway to Microsoft’s services.
