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

Anonymous
2023-03-18T16:09:33+00:00

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

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-07-16T06:07:45+00:00

    I have tried all the steps you suggest, and I still have to type in my search every single time, in other words no history. I have Windows 11 pro.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-07-06T19:40:30+00:00

    LOL !

    Obviously if the possible "solution" is one of six possible methods and growing, no one at MS knows **** they are doing !
    Now I am wondering if I can safely do a System Restore from my last WIndows 10 Backup ?

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-07-06T17:11:37+00:00

    So apparently with the length of this reported problem there is not any fix yet... I did jump all the way to the end to see if there was a real solution.

    This is a perfect example of why I am always hesitant on migrating to a new Microsoft Operating system.

    Any Microsoft "engineer" who cannot see the usefulness of the Windows Explorer search history should be ashamed !

    MS should issue a system update fix for this ASAP !

    No longer a problem; it's now a "feature." ;-)

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-07-06T15:47:32+00:00

    So apparently with the length of this reported problem there is not any fix yet... I did jump all the way to the end to see if there was a real solution.

    This is a perfect example of why I am always hesitant on migrating to a new Microsoft Operating system.

    Any Microsoft "engineer" who cannot see the usefulness of the Windows Explorer search history should be ashamed !

    MS should issue a system update fix for this ASAP !

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    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2023-07-05T23:49:50+00:00

    For what it's worth, I went ahead and used the feedback app to send in some feedback about this.

    I'm not the only one either I should add, and in one of the feedback entries there was an actual MS Engineer response:

    "Thanks for taking the time to share feedback about this - this is currently expected with the change to make File Explorer now immediately update to show live results filtering as you type in the search box, however the team is monitoring feedback in this space and will let you know if there are any changes to share."

    So if anyone had any doubts whether it was by design, I guess that confirms it.

    Time to send more feedback I guess.

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