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

I think you are 100% correct. This thinking is perfectly in line with how they do not even inform new windows users of which libraries in their file explorer are automatically linked to Onedrive when they first open their computer. I remember hours of frustration trying to figure out how I could possibly have my computer hard drive not be affected by changes to files online and also -and I know this is a radical hot take- to have my hard drive on my computer and not accessible by anyone or anything else anywhere. Never even got close to figuring out how to do it, I just never used the main libraries of my file explorer system.

This is like all the push by the government to a cashless society, criminalization of cash etc. Sure, the world will eventually get there. But it ain't there yet. The fact that they might be making things a modicum more convenient, is still not worth my every single transaction being accessible to big government.

Deprecate search on my device because you want it all in the cloud, HA! never gonna happen, MS

Hi Diplocaulus,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

I'm Hahn and I'm here to help you with your concern.

I’m sorry to hear that you are having trouble with File Explorer not remembering your search history.

One possible solution is to disable and clear the search history on Windows 11 using these steps:

Clear the File Explorer history: Open File Explorer, click on the "View" tab in the ribbon, and then click on "Options." In the "Folder Options" window, click on the "Clear" button next to "Clear File Explorer history." This will clear the search history and may enable it to start working again.

Check the Windows Search service: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type "services.msc" and hit Enter. In the Services window, scroll down to "Windows Search" and make sure it is running. If it's not running, right-click on it and select "Start."

Rebuild the Windows Search index: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type "control.exe srchadmin.dll" and hit Enter. In the Indexing Options window, click on "Advanced," then "Rebuild" under Troubleshooting. This will rebuild the Windows Search index, which may help restore the search history.

Check your system for malware: It's possible that malware may be interfering with the search history feature. Run a malware scan using your preferred antivirus software to check for any threats.

Check the Search settings: Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I, then click on "Search" and select "Searching Windows." Make sure that the option "Search history on this device" is enabled.

Reset the File Explorer Options: Open File Explorer, click on the "View" tab in the ribbon, and then click on "Options." In the "Folder Options" window, click on the "Reset Folders" button under the "View" tab. This will reset the File Explorer Options to their default settings.

Hopefully, one of these steps will help you re-enable the file search history in File Explorer on your Windows 11 Home computer.

If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

 

Your Sincerely

Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

I have the same issue as OP and I have tried everything you described on all 3 of my Windows 11 devices and still none of them have file explorer search history functionality like previous versions of Windows conveniently had. sad reacc.

this issue has been submitted to MS repeatedly for years now. will it ever be fixed? this is pretty basic functionality to let it go this long. seriously double-u tee eff.

Nope. There's no money in helping people that already bought Windows with their pc. Too bad Microsoft doesn't have more viable competitors, maybe they would exert some effort for once.

One thing that pisses me off is they see these posts and they know people are frustrated and looking for an answer

they don’t give a…………………..k

They don’t want even acknowledge that there is something wrong, and they are working on it.