How to Delete the Search History in Windows File Explorer

How to Delete Search History in Windows File Explorer

As you type into the Search box in Windows’ File Explorer, a list of suggestions displays below the box. These suggestions are from the history of previous searches you’ve typed.

This can be handy for making searches quicker and easier, but there are times you may want to clear that history. Maybe other family members use the same computer and you don’t want them seeing what you search for. We’ll show you how to clear specific terms from the Explorer search history and how to clear the entire history in Windows 7, 8, and 10.

NOTE: Throughout this article, we’re going to refer to the program as “File Explorer”, though it was called “Windows Explorer” in Windows 7. The following procedure will work for both.

1. How to delete search history using File Explorer
2. How to delete search history using Registry
3. How to disable File Explorer search history using Group Policy
4. How to disable File Explorer search history using Registry

1. How to delete search history using File Explorer

To remove the search history in File Explorer, use these steps:

1. 1. Open File Explorer.
2. 2. Search for anything to make available the "Search" tab.

3. 3. Click the Recent searches option from the "Search" tab.

1. 4. Click the Clear search history option.

Once you complete the steps, recent searches will no longer be available in the history list.

2. How to delete search history using Registry

Alternatively, you can also clear the list of recent searches in File Explorer using the Registry.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

To clear your recent search history, close File Explorer, and use these steps:

1. 1. Open Start.
2. 2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.

3. 3. Browse the following path:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\WordWheelQuery

   Quick tip: On Windows 10, you can now copy and paste the path in the Registry's address bar to quickly jump to the key destination.

4. 4. Select the DWORD keys storing the search history value.

   Quick note: The keys are enumerated from "0" through the highest number that represents the last search. You can also delete only specific entries from the history. The highest number in the name of the DWORD represents the most recent entry in File Explorer.

5. 5. Right-click the selection and choose the Delete option.

1. 6. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the next time you open File Explorer, you should no longer see any history entry as you perform a new search.

3. How to disable File Explorer search history using Group Policy

If you're running Windows 10 Pro (or Enterprise), you can disable the ability for File Explorer to record your search entries using the Group Policy Editor.

To disable search history in File Explorer, use these steps:

1. 1. Open Start.
2. 2. Search for gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

3. 3. Browse the following path:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer

4. 4. On the right side, double-click the Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box policy.

5. Select the Enabled option.

1. 6. Click the Apply button.
2. 7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, File Explorer will no longer show the history of searches as you type new entries in the search box.

In case you change your mind, you can roll back the previous settings using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, select the Not Configured option.

4. How to disable File Explorer search history using Registry

Also, you can disable recent searches list in File Explorer using the Registry.

To disable search suggestions, close File Explorer, and use these steps:

1. 1. Open Start.
2. 2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.

3. 3. Browse the following path:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

4. 4. Right-click the Explorer key, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

1. 5. Name the DWORD DisableSearchBoxSuggestions and press Enter.

2. 6. Double-click the newly created key and set the value from 0 to 1.

1. 7. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the search history feature will no longer be available in File Explorer, but you'll still be able to perform searches regularly.

If you want to revert the changes, you can always use the same instructions, but on step No. 3, right-click the DisableSearchBoxSuggestions DWORD and select the Delete option.

Thanks for Reading...

Masud Rana