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

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.

0 comments

146 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2024-06-14T20:16:33+00:00

    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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-06-14T05:19:46+00:00

    Thanks for the suggestions and screenshots. I appreciate it. Hopefully one will work out.

    Kathleen

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2024-06-13T18:31:16+00:00

    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

    Image

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2024-06-13T14:05:31+00:00

    Lucky you! Unfortunately, my computer is new and came with Windows 11 installed. 😕 First thing I did was install Start11 to get the start menu back at least. I was so busy installing programs and so forth, I didn't even notice File Explorer didn't work properly.

    I'll be honest. I hated Windows 10 at first, too. 😁 But I got used to it. I figure the same will happen with Windows 11, but at least basic functions worked in Windows 10!

    I can't believe Microsoft doesn't even bother to fix File Explorer!

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2024-06-13T12:21:27+00:00

    Hi

    I switched to windows 10 latest now everything back to normal

    Our company started to buy Mac books and asked us to get to learn Mac OS

    We are starting to like the Mac OS

    Never hang 😂😂😂😂

    And I am very happy with windows 10

    I don’t know why I have changed it to windows 11

    And go through all these hassles

    Jus switched back to windows 10

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments