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.

0 comments No comments

146 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2023-07-16T06:07:45+00:00

    I have tried all the steps you suggest, and I still have to type in my search every single time, in other words no history. I have Windows 11 pro.

    Was this answer helpful?

    7 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-08-26T14:10:51+00:00

    None of that works, Trust me we all tried. But I think you knew that already so please concentrate your efforts on an actual solution instead of having us waste our time on scary deep configuration attempts that don't work anyway.

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-04-12T14:53:59+00:00

    Seems like the new KB5025239 also causes this.

    Please stop bundling "improvements" into security updates for the love of god.

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-04-01T10:32:43+00:00

    I believe this issue extends to the 'Run' (WIN + R) history as well.

    There appears to be a registry hack to sort the Run history but the change is not persistent after a reboot.

    Out of interest, did anyone resort to using the ExplorerPatcher to give Windows 11 some of the features that were removed from Windows 10? Taskbar position is one example (I have had my taskbar at the top of my screen for as long as I can remember and cannot get used to the bar at the bottom. Most unergonomic! I suspected a few compatibility issues so I uninstalled it, and for a day the run and search bar histories returned but disappeared after the next reboot. I wonder if ExplorerPatcher inadvertently changed some registry permissions. Any way to revert the registry permissions to default?

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-03-26T16:11:13+00:00

    P.S.2

    The search results appear to be correct, therefore, no need to rebuild anything, but to fix the bug: Not Remember recent searches. Please.

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments