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Search: Disable Search Customization

Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 23, 2026

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 and Internet Explorer 6.0

Path in the GPO console

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer

Description

Makes the Customize button in the Search Assistant appear dimmed. The Search Assistant is a tool that appears in the Search bar to help users search the Internet. If you enable this policy, users cannot change their Search Assistant settings, such as setting default search engines for specific tasks. If you disable this policy or do not configure it, users can change their settings for the Search Assistant. This policy is designed to help administrators maintain consistent settings for searching across an organization.

Registry

HKCU Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions

Value name: NoSearchCustomization

Export Builder

BETA

Configure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.

These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Search: Disable Search Customization
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 and Internet Explorer 6.0

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions]
"NoSearchCustomization"=dword:00000001
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Search: Disable Search Customization
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 and Internet Explorer 6.0
# Warning: In SYSTEM context (the Intune default), HKCU targets the SYSTEM profile. Run this script using the logged-on credentials.

$path = 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'NoSearchCustomization' -Value 1 -Type DWord

Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.

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Theme

Adds one script line: the theme follows your site’s appearance and the height fits the content. If your site blocks scripts, the embed follows the visitor’s system theme.

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