All posts by Jerry Stern

Whatever THAT is, Identified

Definitions

Well, the whatever that is from my last post would appear to be Microsoft’s answer to Google’s Doodle, except if it were second-to-market, minimalistic, and intrusive on the desktop. I still haven’t found Microsoft’s announcement of this feature, whatsit, or whatever. But “Search Highlights” does sometimes pop up search results on mouseover, just not immediately. Triggering the search related to the search image is done by mousing over the image and pausing for at least one second. Apparently, it changes daily.

Here’s the turtle version, for May 23rd, World Turtle Day.

Windows 10 Searchbar Turtle Day

And today, May 24th, is apparently for the European Day of Parks.

Windows 10 Searchbar Parks

Again, it can be turned off by right-clicking the start bar, and next to Search, unchecking ‘Show search highlights.’

How to Turn off Whatever THAT is…

Identification, ,

There’s a picture in the Windows 10 Search bar. This started after the May 2022 Windows Update, and so far, I’ve seen either owls, a swimming turtle, tennis, a tea cup with what might be mint, or a purple flower and a bee. No idea what this kiddy cartoon is called other than looking very much look a toolbar added by malware. Or a BHO, also known as a browser helper object. Maybe a widget, a gadget? Maybe it’s a distant relative of the old Clippy, the Talking Paper Clip from Office ’97? Microsoft has used so many names for extra screen clutter over the years that this is clearly a Whatever. Yes, whatever that is.

Windows SearchBar Tennis

Here’s how to turn off the Whatever: Right-click the Search box, and the menu will pop up as below. Uncheck ‘Show search highlights’. Done.

Windows 10 Cup of Tea with Mint?

If anybody knows what that setting changes beyond adding cartoons to the bar, let me know and I’ll update this.

Windows 10 bee and flowers
Windows 10 turtle searchbar

Updated May 21st with the tea cup. And on May 22nd with the Tennis image. And so on…

Quick Fixes for Windows Issues

Definitions

The February PC Updater News is out. This month, I cover the top Windows problems that don’t need a tech for fixes, usually. Try these quick fixes before ripping everything apart:

  • Lost Windows password
  • Missing Desktop icons
  • Lost an online password
  • Why can’t I login?
  • Can’t print.
  • How do Windows 11 and 10 reboot? Really?
  • My speakers are broken.
  • My mail is broken
  • Computer won’t start, just have a black screen.

The February issue and all the back issues are online, free, here:

PC Updater News