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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.
You didn't give me the wrong impression. However, I just read today that Microsoft deprecated the history drop down menu. Is this actually true? I can't believe they'd remove such a basic function.
I'm tempted to try a fresh installation of Windows 10 on this new laptop. I have to look into it more.
Hi,
Try this program been using it for ages and far faster than Microsoft search and has history (Yellow below)
grepWin - Stefans Tools (stefankueng.com) (Get the Portable version no installation)
Also voidtools Everything Search is very good
Regards
Mark
I guess the question now is what alternatives are available? I've been searching for an alternative file explorer, but haven't decided what to get. The decent ones don't have a trial to see if I like it. I guess I'll just have to avoid the bullet.
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Out of curiosity, has anyone tried any of the alternative file managers, like explorer++, totalcommander etc? Do any of them have a good search and history? All I really need is a search box next to the address bar, support for bunch of boolean operators like OR and NOT, and history right there on the search box.
I like Explorer++ for it's portability, but it's search options are very basic. Directory Opus and XYPlorer both have extensive search options and history. I haven't looked much at TotalCommander, so I can't comment on that one. A lot of people recommend Everything.
SwitchExplorer will let you switch to the Windows 10 style of Explorer and right-click menu, which I think will address some of the issues that you described. However, it will not change the Explorer search to provide the history drop-down menu. Unfortunately, there is no patch available to bring that back to Windows 11. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression there.
