The Windows 10 and 11 search box, is an “feature”. When Microsoft took away the Windows 7 way of browsing to a program or file, this is what was hoisted upon users.

When I need to run a program, navigate to the “Settings” menu or locate a file, I click on the search box and start typing the name of what I’m looking for. If you turned it off the taskbar, you just need to click on the Windows icon and start typing.

What’s really annoying is the search box will also pull results from Bings internet search (barf) and give you those “choices”.

By default, Windows 10 and 11 make a boot sound (ding?) whenever they start up. This is annoying when you are half asleep and turning on your computer. Also, if you are in a public place and don’t want the planet to know you are booting up your laptop, like in school or a hotel when the rest of the family is asleep.
To silence Windows startup noise follow these quick and easy steps.

1. Click in the Search for “system sounds,” and click “Change system sounds”.
2. In the Window that appears, uncheck the box next to “Play Windows Startup sound” in the lower left area.
3. Click OK to complete