Latest Windows 11 148.0 (64-bit) has disabled old search bar

I've been using 2 search bars for quite some time. I use the top bar for URLs and the bar mid screen for ad-hoc searches. (I know I can use the top bar for both but I'm long since retired, quite set in my ways and would rather not have to change unless absolutely necessary😉) I was able to restore the mid screen search bar functionality using an about:config setting from memory when I first noticed the search bar consolidation a few years back. It's been working fine until the latest update. Latest update lets me activate the mid screen bar with a mouse click but any attempt to then enter anything causes focus to move to the top bar so text input on the mid screen bar is no longer possible. I've tested this on 2 Win 11 desktops and 1 Win 10 desktop and see the same 'issue' arising after the update. Has that functionality been removed entirely with the latest update or is there an about:config setting that can restore it?