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

Many of us are using Windows 11 for work so we do not have permissions to use the Microsoft Store and change admin settings so we need a solution that applies to all users like it always used to in Windows 10 and earlier.

Maybe you should alert your IT admins, if you haven't already?

I was wondering the same thing... I'm a retired IT systems analyst/programmer and definitely would have escalated this to the IT help support group... plus I would have had my users report system support request tickets for this problem too !

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.

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.

I agree. MS: please restore search history.

I submitted this to the Feedback Hub

Suggestion

"The current Windows 11 File Explorer no longer shows the search history, by design." WHY? I WANT IT BACK!

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-11-file-explorer-no-longer-remembers/02821954-7de0-4822-8727-a61a5464bd8f?page=5

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

Hahn - MSFT Microsoft Agent | Moderator

Replied on May 19, 2023

Hi Diplocaulus, and the other users who replied here.

The current Windows 11 File Explorer no longer shows the search history, by design. . . ."

Bad decision. I, and apparently lots of other heavy users, save a lot of time with that feature. Iterative searching is intuitive. Saved Searches is not a substitute, because it doesn't leave anything in the search box to build on. I can copy and keep pasting name:~= but many useful searches will include AND NOT or OR. Now I'm going to have to keep a text file open with many skeleton search terms. (After 37 years, I have more than 100K files and have used many different naming schemes, as well as having many imposed on me.) Screenshot shows what I want back.

[Can't upload screenshot]