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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-04-06T08:57:13+00:00

    Hi

    Welcome to Microsoft community.

    Did your problem occur after the computer automatically updated? If that's the case, you can try uninstalling the latest update patch to check if the problem disappears.

    How to uninstall a Windows update - Microsoft Support

    If there are any restore points on your computer, you can also use the restore points to restore your computer to the correct time period in an attempt to fix the problem.

    Use System Restore - Microsoft Support

    Please feel free to let me know if you have any further updates, thanks. 

    Best regards

    Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-04-06T13:58:05+00:00

    Like other users, I noticed it after the March 15 KB5023706 patch.

    After uninstalling that patch, I now have the history back in File Explorer.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-04-06T17:05:50+00:00

    Uninstalling KB5023706 didn't initially work for me. But then I also uninstalled ExplorerPatcher. Search history is back. Just wish I could have that and my taskbar at the top of the screen!

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-04-07T04:27:59+00:00

    As of about 3 weeks ago, my Windows 11 File Explorer is now failing to find any files newer than March 19 in a search, though I can access the files directly, and they show the correct more recent dates. Why is Window's Search failing, and how can I get it working properly asap? It's important to be able to search for recent files!!!

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-04-07T06:49:05+00:00

    Add me to the list of having no explorer search history anymore.

    It would seem that the initial issue started with KB5022913, which is then also bundled in with the security update KB5023706.

    Not great when you want to install security updates, but the update has bundled unwanted changes.

    Looking at the change list from the first update, there's some taskbar search changes there, I bet those broke the explorer search history somehow.

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