How to enable Cortana new immersive (floating search bar) on Windows 10

Cortana is getting a new interface that floats above the desktop, and here are the steps to activate it on Windows 10 (build 17040).

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@Pureinfotech
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Enable Cortana floating search bar on Windows 10

Microsoft is currently testing a new immersive Cortana experience for Windows 10 (Redstone 4) that is no longer attached to the Taskbar, instead the new search box floats on the desktop.

The new feature appears in Windows 10 build 17040, but it’s not enabled by default. However, if you’re an Insider, you can give it a try editing the Registry.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to enable the new floating search on Windows 10 build 17040.

How to enable floating Cortana experience

Warning: It’s very important to note that modifying the Windows Registry can cause serious problems if not used properly. It’s assumed you know what you’re doing and that you have created a full backup of your system before proceeding.

  1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.

  2. Type regedit, and click OK to open the Registry.

  3. Browse the following path:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search\Flighting

  4. Right-click the Flighting (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.

    Flighting (regedit)
    Flighting (regedit)

  5. Name the key Override and press Enter.

  6. Right-click the “Override” key, select Key, and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.

    Override (regedit)
    Override (regedit)

  7. Name the DWORD ImmersiveSearch and press Enter.

  8. Double-click the “ImmersiveSearch” DWORD and make sure to change its value from 0 to 1.

    ImmersiveSearch DWORD to enable Cortana floating experience
    ImmersiveSearch DWORD to enable Cortana floating experience

  9. Click OK.

Once you’ve completed the steps, right-click the Taskbar, select Cortana, and click the Show Cortana icon option. Then you can click the Cortana button, and the new floating search bar experience should open up in the desktop.

Credit: @vitorgrs and @4j17h.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].