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I frequently use File Explorer to search for local files. Until recently, it would remember my past file searches, but beginning two days ago, without warning, File Explorer no longer remembers those searches; the search bar is empty. How do I reenable it?
I've confirmed that search and file history is enabled in Privacy settings. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Windows 11 Home 10.0.22621 Build 22621
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
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The correct path to History is Settings / Privacy & Security / Search Permissions / History .
There is a listing for "Search history on this device" with an On/Off switch.
This did not restore the function of viewing previous searches.
Those settings have nothing to do with the drop down history (aka auto-suggest list) in Explorer search. That's a feature that was removed when Microsoft changed the search to results-as-you-type. There's no known way to restore the old search on Windows 11.
This was definitely how it worked until around this time last year.
Somebody has already stated which update that broke it, but by the time I found this thread, the option to remove the offending update had been removed.
My workflow involves me switching between thousands of directories, usually centring on a dozen or so over a period of a few weeks until a project has finished. Having to search the entire system over and over and over is extremely time-consuming!
Prior to this, all recent directories and files appeared the moment I clicked in the search box.
Indeed, loss of search history is what the OP is about.
I always had display as you type but also had search history. So I don't think that is what caused the change. Again, regardless of the cause, bottom line: make it a feature one can turn on or off as they see fit for their profile and use. The lack of search history has hindered productivity for many people.
But why doesn't the back button even work? Not keeping the search history is one thing, one extremely annoying tedious, monotonous thing.
But performing a search, and then opening a folder, and then going back and not having the search remembered is absolute lee asinine. It irks to no end!
I'm glad that everybody is keeping the pressure on, however, they still haven't fixed the preview handler that they broke in Windows 7, so I'm not holding my breath.
