Same here. Search results are fine (within the scope of Windows' search capability), it just doesn't remember your past searches. For better or for worse, that's a feature I've come to rely upon so it's a pain when it stops working entirely.
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
2023-03-26T19:01:03+00:00 -
Anonymous
2023-03-23T22:26:04+00:00 On March 15, my computer installed 2023-03 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5023706), and file explorer stopped showing my search history. I uninstalled he update, and my file history is showing again.
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Anonymous
2023-07-06T15:47:32+00:00 So apparently with the length of this reported problem there is not any fix yet... I did jump all the way to the end to see if there was a real solution.
This is a perfect example of why I am always hesitant on migrating to a new Microsoft Operating system.
Any Microsoft "engineer" who cannot see the usefulness of the Windows Explorer search history should be ashamed !
MS should issue a system update fix for this ASAP !
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Anonymous
2023-03-22T14:45:03+00:00 Hi Hahn - MSFT,
Thank you for your suggestions and for reporting this issue to MS. I completed the steps you outlined in "To clear the File Explorer history", however for "To check the search settings" I see no Search option in the left-hand menu (see attached screenshot).
Could you kindly post a screenshot from your own Windows 11 PC? Thank you.
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Anonymous
2023-05-19T09:17:44+00:00 I guess I'll just keep postponing all the updates for the foreseeable future since it seems you are also going to keep bundling 'features' with the security updates. Great, just great. That's some great design.
Just bring it back and make it an option. What a bizarre way to just take away a feature, truly the Windows 11 way.