Daily image/icon disappeared from Windows 11 Search box about 2 months ago

That picture is part of Search highlights, separate from whether the search box itself is enabled.

Normally, its switch is under Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions > More settings. Since yours is missing, check whether a policy has disabled it. On Windows 11 Pro, open gpedit.msc and go to:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search > Allow search highlights

If it’s Disabled on your own unmanaged PC, change it to Not Configured, restart, and check again. If this is a work or school device, ask IT instead.

Also check any privacy or “debloat” tool you’ve used—some disable Search highlights or web-search features. Undo that specific change through the tool rather than applying random registry fixes.

If neither applies, share the version and full build number shown by winver. The missing switch is the useful clue here; rebuilding the search index won’t bring that setting back.