How to Access Bing AI From the Taskbar Search Box on Windows

What to know

• Requirements: Access to Bing AI preview as well as a Windows Insider build.
• Access Bing AI from Taskbar search: Click on the taskbar search, type your query, and select from web results for Bing search, or click on Chat (or the Bing logo) to open Bing AI chat. 

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In the latest Windows 11 Dev channel update, the new Bing AI has received a deeper integration into taskbar search. What this means is that you will now be able to access Bing AI — search as well as ‘Chat’ —  right from the taskbar itself. Here’s everything you need to know to start using Bing AI from the taskbar search box.

Requirements

First things first, there are a couple of requirements you need to have before you start seeing Bing AI in the taskbar search box.

1. Bing AI preview

Bing AI isn’t available to everyone just yet. It’s being rolled out slowly and only to those who are on the Bing AI waitlist. If you’d like to see Bing AI in the taskbar or the Edge browser (both on desktop as well as smartphone apps), then open the new Bing site and join the waitlist. It might take a few days for you to get access to the new Bing AI.

Once it is available to you, you will start seeing it appear in all the places where Microsoft has integrated it, that is the Bing search, the Edge browser, and recently, the taskbar search box.

2. Windows Insider 

As of writing this guide, Bing AI in taskbar search is a preview feature that is available only on Windows Insider builds. Being a part of the Windows Insider Program will not just get you the latest Bing AI integrated taskbar search, but also get you all the latest updates and features well before they’re released to the broader public at large. Refer to our guide on How to download Windows 11 Insider Build to get started.

Related: How to Change Tones in Bing AI in Microsoft Edge

How to access Bing AI from taskbar search box

If you fulfill the two requirements, you shouldn’t have any trouble accessing Bing AI from the taskbar search box. Here are the steps to start using it:

Step 1: Type in your query in the Taskbar search box

Click inside the taskbar search box.

This will open up the taskbar search.

Now start typing your query. The same will be shown as part of the “Best match” result.

Step 2: Select web search

Now, you have two routes to pick from. To get Bing web results on Microsoft Edge, click on a web result. 

Your query will open in the new Bing on Microsoft Edge. 

Step 3: Select Bing AI chat

Alternatively, if you want your query to be answered by the Bing AI chat, click on Chat in the top left corner. 

And wait for Bing AI to generate a response. 

The same can also be accessed by clicking on the Bing logo towards the top right corner. 

Determine search filter levels

If you have kids using your PC, or if you simply want to maintain a healthy level of content filtering so that web results don’t automatically load results that contain adult content, you might want to change the search filters. Here’s how to do so:

Click in the taskbar search box to open it up. Then select the three-dot icon to reveal more options.

Select Search settings.

Alternatively, press Win+I to open the Settings app, click on Privacy & security in the left pane, and select ‘Search permissions’.

Under ‘SafeSearch’, select from the three filter options – Strict, Moderate, or Off. 

How to Disable and clear Search History?

Your search history should be for your eyes only. But if there are other people accessing your computer, you might want to clear your search history and disable it so that no further search content is stored locally. Here’s how:

On the same ‘Search permissions’ settings page, scroll down until you get to History. Then, to clear your search history on your device, click on Clear device search history.

You won’t get any confirmation message. But rest assured that your search history will be deleted. 

To turn off search history, toggle off the button under Search history on this device.

FIX: Unable to access Bing AI

If you meet the requirements mentioned above but are still unable to access Bing AI, then there are a couple of things you need to check. 

1. Ensure Search Box is visible on the Taskbar

Many users prefer to hide the taskbar search box since the same search can also be done from the Start menu itself. If you had previously hidden the taskbar search, but now want to have it appear again in the taskbar, you will need to make a small change to the taskbar settings. Here’s how:

Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.

Click on the drop-down menu next to ‘Search’.

Then select Search box.

The search box will now be available in the taskbar. 

2. Enable Cloud Content Search in Settings

If you have the taskbar search box but find that the Bing logo, as well as the Chat button, is missing from the taskbar search, you will need to enable ‘Cloud content search’ in the Settings app. Here’s how:

Press Win+I to open the Settings app. Then click on Privacy & security in the left pane.

Scroll down on the right and click on Search permissions.

Under ‘Cloud content search’, toggle on Microsoft account.

Doing this will allow Windows search to provide results from Bing (which is tied to your Microsoft account), and you’ll be able to see the Bing logo as well as the ‘Chat’ feature in the taskbar search. 

FAQs

Let’s take a look at a few commonly asked queries regarding Bing AI in the taskbar search box. 

Which Windows Insider Program build will get me Bing AI in taskbar search?

Although Microsoft didn’t specify which build – Dev, Beta, or Release Preview – is needed to get the latest features to your device, including the Bing AI taskbar search, it is definitely available with the Dev channel. 

How long do I have to be on the waitlist to get Bing AI?

If you’re on the Bing AI waitlist, you may have to wait a few days to a week to get access to it. 

Is Bing AI also integrated into the Start Menu?

Yes, with the latest Windows Insider build, you will get Bing AI integrated into the Start Menu as well. 

Bing AI’s integration into the taskbar search is a welcome surprise for Windows users who want to access Bing chat or its web results right from their desktop. If you see yourself using Bing AI daily, then this little convenience can save you a whole lot of time. Until next time!     

Related: How to Talk to Bing AI on Mobile App and PC [Guide]