Hello, @TBouchard. Let me share steps and troubleshooting options to help you resolve your concern.

I suggest making sure that your QuickBooks Desktop version is up-to-date first. Then, I can guide you through the steps in hiding the search bar field in QuickBooks Desktop preferences: 

1. Go to Edit, and select Preferences.
2. Click the Search menu.
3. Go to My Preferences tab.
4. Ensure that the Show Search field in the Icon Bar is unchecked.

When this still doesn't work, we can troubleshoot whether it is a software or a company data file problem. We can open a sample company file and perform the steps outlined above again for this. If the search bar is successfully hidden in the sample company file, we can proceed with data repair steps to fix data damage in your company file. However, if the issue persists, we can repair QuickBooks Desktop to fix the software.

I'll add this article as a reference for checking out the release notes in QuickBooks Desktop updates: Release notes for QuickBooks Desktop 2023.

Our Community team is always available to help you should you have further concerns about making changes in QuickBooks Desktop preferences. Take care.

This worked great! Thanks!

Hello sgfee123,

It's great to know that the information shared by my colleagues works on your end. Don't hesitate to post a reply whenever you have concerns about managing your QuickBooks account.

Let me know whenever you have concerns about your account.