Set what information is shared in Search

This policy setting allows you to control what information is shared with Bing in Search.

If you enable this policy setting, you can specify one of four settings, which users won't be able to change:

-User info and location: Share a user's search history, some Microsoft account info, and specific location to personalize their search and other Microsoft experiences.

-User info only: Share a user's search history and some Microsoft account info to personalize their search and other Microsoft experiences.

-Anonymous info: Share usage information but don't share search history, Microsoft account info or specific location.

If you disable or don't configure this policy setting, users can choose what information is shared in Search.

Supported on: Microsoft Windows 8.1. Not supported on Windows 10 or later

Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
Value NameConnectedSearchPrivacy
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Enabled Value1
Disabled Value0

Type of information


  1. User info and location
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    Registry PathSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
    Value NameConnectedSearchPrivacy
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value1
  2. User info only
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    Registry PathSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
    Value NameConnectedSearchPrivacy
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value2
  3. Anonymous info
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    Registry PathSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
    Value NameConnectedSearchPrivacy
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value3


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