---
title: "Uninstall Windows Search 4 – It's that easy!"
url: https://lookeen.com/blog/uninstall-windows-search-4-it-s-that-easy
lang: en
description: "Few features have sparked as much controversy as Windows Search 4. Find out step by step how you can uninstall Windows Search 4."
author: "Ben Golling"
published: 2016-02-12T10:15:31+00:00
modified: 2026-11-11T06:15:19+00:00
---

# Uninstall Windows Search 4 – It's that easy!

Windows Search 4, also often referred to as Windows Live Search, was the official successor to Windows Desktop Search 3 and served as the standard Windows search from Windows Vista to Windows 8. Upon its release in June 2008, particular attention was paid to the improved indexing of data and, consequently, the faster search process compared to previous versions. Additionally, Microsoft enabled users of Windows XP to install Windows Search 4 retroactively. This extended XP with remote desktop connection capabilities already implemented in Windows Vista. Furthermore, XP users could now search within the index of network devices. Windows Search 4 also permanently changed the user interface of Windows by integrating search fields into the Start menu and Explorer.

Article title: Uninstalling Windows Search 4 – That’s how easy it is! Nevertheless, there were many critical voices from users who wanted to uninstall Windows Search 4 as quickly as possible. Despite all the improvements, the still rather sluggish search performance was criticized. Furthermore, many users viewed it critically that the new search was forcibly integrated into Windows, even though there were still significant performance issues. Other Windows users, on the other hand, [had been relying on search solutions like Google Desktop for some time](https://lookeen.com/blog/google-desktop-search-the-most-important-facts/) and simply had no need for the new Windows search. Many of these users thus faced the problem that they wanted to uninstall Windows Search 4 but did not know how.

[Want to quickly and efficiently find your data without Windows Search? We'll show you how.](https://lookeen.com/desktop-search)

## How to get rid of Windows Search

Depending on the operating system, there are different approaches to getting rid of the search. In some cases, it is not possible to uninstall Windows Search 4 without interfering with the system, which always carries a risk. Yet often it is enough to simply disable the Windows search. Some users had the problem that WDS 4 was not listed under **“Software”** and therefore could not be uninstalled. If this is also the case for you, we strongly recommend working through this list in order.

## 1\. Disable the Windows Search Outlook Add-in

First, Outlook must be opened. A click on the **“File”** ribbon allows you to open **“Options”**. Here, you must click on **“Add-Ins”** to disable the **Windows Search Email Indexer**.

## 2\. Disable Windows Search

Click on “**Start**” in the taskbar. Select the “**Control Panel**” tab there. Now click on “**Programs and Features**”. On the left side, you will see the entry “**Turn Windows features on or off**”; a simple left click opens a list. Here, you must find the entry “**Windows Search**”. Remove the checkmark before Windows Search by clicking the checkbox. You must confirm the pop-up warning with “**Yes**”. Windows will now make changes to the system. As soon as this process is complete, the system will prompt you to restart.

You can read a detailed illustrated guide [in this blog article](https://lookeen.com/blog/disable-windows-search-here-s-how/).

## 3\. Uninstall Windows Search 4

Open the “**Control Panel**” via “Start” or your desktop shortcut. Navigate to the “**System**” section and click on “**Software**” there. A list will open where you will find the entry “**Windows Search**”. Click on it to uninstall Windows Search 4.

## 4\. Disable the Windows Search Taskbar

To disable the deskbar of Windows Search 4, you simply need to right-click on the Windows taskbar at the bottom of your desktop. Go to “**Toolbars**” and remove the checkmark next to “**Windows Search Deskbar**”.

Due to the different operating systems that used Windows Search 4 and the various ways the program could end up on a computer (Outlook, update, own installation), there is unfortunately no ready-made solution for how you can uninstall Windows Search 4. If none of the previous steps have led to the desired effect, you have one last option. As already noted, this is a more risky method.

## 5\. At your own risk: Uninstall Windows Search with spuninst.exe

Open the “**Run**” window via “**Start**”. Enter the command “**cmd**” here to open the Windows Command Prompt (if possible as administrator). Enter the following command there to uninstall Windows Search 4:

%systemroot%\\$NtUninstallKB940157$\\spuninst\\spuninst.exe