Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10  

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    Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10

    Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10

    How to Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    18 Sep 2020
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10


    The lock screen is the screen you see when you lock your PC (or when it locks automatically after you haven't been using it for a while). The lock screen will also show at startup, and when you are signed out and idle for one minute. You will need to dismiss the lock screen to be able to see the sign in screen and sign in to Windows. Users can dismiss the lock screen using touch, the keyboard, or by dragging it up with the mouse.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 18932, a new hidden experimental feature is available to enable adding a search box on the lock screen allowing users to search the web with Bing directly on the lock screen.

    If enabled, the search box will only be on the lock screen when users lock the computer (Win+L). The search box will not be available on the lock screen at startup.

    When users type in the search box, it will show them Bing web search results. If a user clicks/taps on a link in the search results, it will only open in Microsoft Edge after they sign in.

    This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable a search box on the lock screen to search the web with Bing for all users in Windows 10.

    While you must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable the search box on the lock screen, all users will be able to use the search box if enabled.

    warning   Warning
    It is recommended to create a restore point before enabling this feature using Mach2 in case you have adverse effects.

    If you do adverse effects afterwards, you could simply just do a quick system restore using the restore point to undo and fix it.


    EXAMPLE: Search Box on Lock Screen
    Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10-search_the_web_box_on_lock_screen-1.jpg Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10-search_the_web_box_on_lock_screen-2.jpg
    Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10-search_the_web_box_on_lock_screen-3.jpg



    Here's How:

    1. Close Task Manager if open.

    2. Click/tap on the Download button below to go download the 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) version of Mach2 by Rafael Rivera for your system from its official GitHub page. (see screenshot below)
    3. Save the mach2_0.3.0.0_x86.zip or mach2_0.3.0.0_x64.zip file to your desktop.

    4. Unblock the downloaded ZIP file.

    5. Right click or press and hold on the mach2_0.3.0.0_x86.zip or mach2_0.3.0.0_x64.zip file, click/tap on Extract all, and click/tap on Extract. (see screenshots below)

    Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10-extract_all_mach2_zip-1.jpg Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10-extract_all_mach2_zip-2.png

    6. In the extracted mach2_0.3.0.0_x86 or mach2_0.3.0.0_x64 folder, click/tap on the Home tab, select the mach2.exe file, and click/tap on Copy path in the Ribbon. (see screenshot below)

    Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10-search_box_on_lock_screen-2.jpg

    7. Do step 8 (enable) or step 9 (disable) below for what you want to do.


     8. To Enable Search Box on Lock Screen

    A) Open an elevated command prompt.

    B) Press Ctrl+V to paste the full path of the mach2.exe file from step 6 into the elevated command prompt. (see screenshot below)

    C) Add a space after the full path, type enable 17917466, and press Enter.

    For example: "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\mach2_0.3.0.0_x64\mach2.exe" enable 17917466

    D) Close the elevated command prompt, and go to step 10 below.

    Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10-enable_17917466.png


     9. To Disable Search Box on Lock Screen

    This is the default setting.

    A) Open an elevated command prompt.

    B) Press Ctrl+V to paste the full path of the mach2.exe file from step 6 into the elevated command prompt. (see screenshot below)

    C) Add a space after the full path, type disable 17917466, and press Enter.

    For example: "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\mach2_0.3.0.0_x64\mach2.exe" disable 17917466

    D) Close the elevated command prompt, and go to step 10 below.

    Enable Search Box on Lock Screen in Windows 10-disable_17917466.png

    10. Restart the computer to apply.

    11. If you like, you can now delete the mach2_0.3.0.0_x86.zip or mach2_0.3.0.0_x64.zip file and mach2_0.3.0.0_x86 or mach2_0.3.0.0_x64 folder on your desktop.


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 1,232
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #1

    I'm happy you included the feature I'd number...don't have to go through the list lol
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 68,653
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

      My Computers


  3. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #3

    What the heck is the point of this not-asked-for feature?

    Sounds to me like another hole in security somewhere. And why would I want to search if I can't look at the results until after I log in?

    How many existing bugs could have been fixed with the resources expended on this useless feature?

    I try to keep a positive outlook on Microsofts actions but this one just baffles me.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 68,653
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    It's just an unofficial experimental feature that I'm sure is incomplete and just available for internal testing for now if it even makes it to public release.

    I thought I would post it for folks who may wanted to play with it.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #5

    I'm not criticizing you Shawn. I just don't understand what Microsoft's thinking is on this one. But then I don't understand their thinking on a lot of things so I guess this is nothing new on their part or mine

    I did download Mach2 so I can play with that though
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 68,653
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    No worries Rich. I know.

    It's just in early development, so if it makes it, hopefully it'll be useful.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 1,232
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #7

    Hey @Brink
    With this feature enabled on 18956 is your time at top of the screen instead of the bottom
    I enabled this feature in 18956 and usually time is at the bottom but now the search bar is at the bottom and time At the top left....this wasnt the case in 18950? Is it just me
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 68,653
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Steven Campoli said:
    Hey @Brink
    With this feature enabled on 18956 is your time at top of the screen instead of the bottom
    I enabled this feature in 18956 and usually time is at the bottom but now the search bar is at the bottom and time At the top left....this wasnt the case in 18950? Is it just me

    Hey Steven,

    I just tested on my laptop with 18956, and I don't even have the time at all on the lock screen when enabled.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 1,232
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #9

    Brink said:
    Hey Steven,

    I just tested on my laptop with 18956, and I don't even have the time at all on the lock screen when enabled.
    That's weired, gonna re update from a previous image and test again
      My Computers


 

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