Turn off Search Companion content file updates

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2003, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016, WindowsVista, WindowsXP

This policy setting specifies whether Search Companion should automatically download content updates during local and Internet searches. When users search the local computer or the Internet, Search Companion occasionally connects to Microsoft to download an updated privacy policy and additional content files used to format and display results. If you enable this policy setting, Search Companion does not download content updates during searches. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Search Companion downloads content updates unless the user is using Classic Search. Note: Internet searches still send the search text and information about the search to Microsoft and the chosen search provider. Choosing Classic Search turns off the Search Companion feature completely.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• Computer
  Turn off access to all Windows Update features

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems, Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1, or Windows 2000 Service Pack 3
• User
  Turn off access to the Store

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Turn off access to the Store

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Turn off Automatic Root Certificates Update

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• Computer
  Turn off downloading of print drivers over HTTP

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• User
  Turn off downloading of print drivers over HTTP

  At least Windows XP Professional with SP2
• Computer
  Turn off Event Viewer "Events.asp" links

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• Computer
  Turn off Help and Support Center "Did you know?" content

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• Computer
  Turn off Help and Support Center Microsoft Knowledge Base search

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• User
  Turn off Help Experience Improvement Program

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Turn off Help Ratings

  At least Windows Vista
• Computer
  Turn off Internet Connection Wizard if URL connection is referring to Microsoft.com

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2