We have received so many mails about this particular problem so today we decided to post the solution here so that everyone can follow it without any need to send the query to us.
Windows 7 automatically stores the search entries which you enter in Windows Explorer Search box:
Whenever you click into the Search box, it displays the recent search entries automatically. While its useful for frequent search users, it might become problematic if you use a shared computer and don't want other people know about your recent searches.
So if you want some privacy and don't want people know what you search, here are some easy to use instructions to disable the display of recent search entries in Search box:
1. Type gpedit.msc in RUN or Startmenu Search box and press Enter. It'll open Group Policy Editor.
2. Now go to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Explorer
3. In right-side pane, double-click on "Turn off display of recent search entries in the Windows Explorer search box" and set it to Enabled.
4. That's it. Now Windows will no longer display the recent search entries in Search box.
NOTE: If you don't want to completely disable the display of recent search entries but want to remove a particular entry from the list, then you can simply hover on the entry in Search box and press "Delete" key. It'll immediately delete it from the list.
PS: You can enable Group Policy Editor in Windows 7 Home Basic and other editions using following tutorial:
How to Enable “Group Policy Editor” in Windows 7 Home Premium, Home Basic and Starter Editions?
This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7.
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Drake
Thanks VG this is a nice little tweak :D
dzx
Thanks so much for posting this solution, I accidentally typed my logon password into a folder and it saved it in search history in plain view. Unlike Windows XP where you could search for history in regedit I couldn't do this in W7. I even tried CCleaner and nuking IE8's browsing history but as IE and Windows Explorer become more separated this no longer worked either!
Who would have thought simply pushing the delete key would solve all my trouble. I tried right clicking on the search criteria and even that provided no solutions. Huge oversight on MS's part even though they seem to be pushing security and privacy now more so than ever.
So again, thank you - was about to reformat and reinstall W7 just to clear it!
PS - Some keywords I searched for without luck included "how to delete Windows 7 search history" "how to delete previous searches in Windows 7" "how to delete search history in Windows 7". Hopefully anyone else searching for those might come across this site now!
reed1
Nice one , Microsoft should consider including this configuration in control panel