Windows 11 File Explorer no longer remembers search history; how to reenable?

Several months ago one of the MS reps advised me on this thread that this is not a mistake, rather it is now a "feature." I presume it has to do with privacy. Yes, I do miss it. Yes, I do wish they made it optional, but mediocre Microsoft support for Windows is now the norm.

I doubt that it's a privacy issue. If that were the case, the auto-suggest list wouldn't be peppered with file and URL references with no option to clear them. I think it's just because they changed search to display Results-as-you-type, which is somewhat at odds with having a history drop down.

The simple solution is to give the user a checkbox to select their preferred search style. Wait-for-Enter and include history (as it was in the early releases of Windows 11) or Results-as-you-type without history (as it is now). Results-as-you-type plus history is also possible, but it's trickier to program.

Yes, exactly, we want that feature back! I use a lot of files constantly and search a lot. Its a dealbreaker for me.

This is a resounding cry from a production point of view.

Bring the feature back.

Glad my next PC purchase will be non microsoft.

Bad decisions from developers.

None of these options work!

Why can't you provide a definitive answer?

Is this a new "Feature"?

Do Microsoft have limitations when being truthful?

I am sure this function is used by millions of employees regularly on a daily basis.

Who can provide an answer? And prove that the method works by showing screen shots.

Sad.

Why is the File Explorer search history still an issue? This along with the Quick Access / Home change that took place is severely hampering productivity. Started with one of these 2024 Windows 11 updates.

KB4023057

KB5034121

KB5034276

KB5034440

Please do not suggest uninstalling an update - I am working on a company-issued computer that I have no administrative rights to. Microsoft NEEDS to fix these awful updates that are pushed before being thoroughly tested!

Hi Diplocaulus,

We fully understand the inconvenience the issue has caused and that the current situation can be frustrating.  

Currently, such issues, of which the Microsoft technical team is aware, are gathering more information to address the issue in a subsequent version update.

We advise you to be patient and hope that this document will be resolved soon.

Your Sincerely

Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Same here... I did no such cloning around !

Mine was a "forced" upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10, so I just went with it... until I found some of the stupid things Microsoft did with it !

Kind of hard to imagine that Microsoft developers do not use (or miss) the search feature !

This thread is about the Search History missing. Here's the title of the tread again because apparently you misread it or something.

"Windows 11 File Explorer no longer remembers search history; how to reenable?"

My drive was not cloned. This was a fresh install of Windows 11 on a virgin drive. I can search just fine, but the history of things I've searched for is no longer available when I click in the search box. For instance, I frequently do video encoding and need to search for certain file types. Previously I could just click in the search bar and select the same search I used last time without having to go back to the keyboard and type it in again. Now I have to click in the search bar and type the same thing each time I need to do a search. What used to take 2 clicks of the mouse on subsequent searches now takes the whole effort every time I search. This is going back in time rather than improving processes and moving forward!

What was once a great feature is now gone and those of us posting about it here would like that feature returned.