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Windows 11 File Explorer no longer remembers search history; how to reenable?
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Anonymous
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.
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Anonymous
2023-05-19T09:28:14+00:00 -
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Anonymous
2023-05-20T13:01:09+00:00 Hi Diplocaulus, and the other users who replied here.
The current Windows 11 File Explorer no longer shows the search history, by design.
Microsoft takes user experience very seriously, if you think this feature can be helpful to you.
You can submit your ideas and suggestions through the Feedback Center, and the development team will periodically review the ideas or fixes that are submitted.
Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app - Microsoft Support
After submitting, please share the feedback link here, as this will allow others on the forums to vote for your submission, including me. More votes will result in more visibility and higher priority for the development team.
Your Sincerely
Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist
Hi Hahn,
Thank you for the information. Would you kindly provide a link to where Microsoft has indicated that it has turned off search history by design? (You're not a Microsoft employee yourself, correct?) That would be helpful. Thanks again.
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Anonymous
2023-06-09T18:39:26+00:00 I would also like to find documentation stating Microsoft intentionally did not include file explorer search history in Windows 11.
Changing the default for displaying recent search entries to off is somewhat understandable.
Removing the option and not allowing user control of that feature is not understandable.
I found a YouTube video 'How to Disable File Explorer Search History in Windows 11' thinking if you can disable it, surely you can enable it. Following the video, I used gpedit.msc to get to the File Explorer, Windows Components settings for 'Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box'. Available options are: Not Configured, Enabled, Disabled.
My setting was "Not Configured".
Setting to 'Disabled' did not resolve the problem.
Setting to 'Enabled' then 'Disabled' (again) did not resolve the problem.
Note: The settings window shows "Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7".
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Anonymous
2023-06-09T23:47:49+00:00 Personally I think removing the search history is a wonderful improvement to privacy, but it doesn't go far enough. Please could Microsoft also remove the "Recent" file list in the File menu of Apps... especially Microsoft Office Apps. Any user who needs to return to a document they were previously editing is obviously not working efficiently - frankly it is probably about time they were replaced by AI.