How to Disable Display of Recent Search Entries in Windows Explorer Search Box?
This tutorial will work for Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10 operating systems.
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:
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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:
- METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor
- METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor
METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
1. Type gpedit.msc in RUN or Start Menu Search box and press Enter. It’ll open Group Policy Editor.
2. Now go to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Explorer
PS: In Windows 10, you’ll see “File Explorer” instead of “Windows Explorer”.
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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.
PS: In Windows 10, you’ll see “Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box” option.
4. That’s it. Now Windows will no longer display the recent search entries in Search box.
METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)
Some Windows editions such as Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium don’t come with Group Policy Editor. If you can’t use Group Policy Editor, here is a Registry method to do the same thing:
1. Type regedit in RUN or Start Menu search box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.
2. Now go to following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
If you don’t see Explorer key, create it manually.
3. In right-side pane, create a new DWORD DisableSearchBoxSuggestions and set its value to 1
4. That’s it. Close Registry Editor and restart or log off and you’ll no longer see recent search entries in Search box.
BONUS TIP:
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.
You can also manually delete one or more recent search entries from search box drop-down list using Registry Editor. Following key in Registry stores all recent search entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\WordWheelQuery
In right-side pane, you’ll see Binary values such as 0, 1, 2, etc containing recent search entries. Delete the desired Binary to remove recent search entry from search box in Windows Explorer.
Thank you so much.
Looks like this also helps not responding search box in my case, where only way to start the search is to click the search arrow.
I recently moved from Windows 7 to Windows 10. It was a love hate thing; I loved Windows 7 and I hate Windows 10. But when my favorite programs began to falter due to incompatibilities with W10 I felt I had no choice. Now the biggest irritant I have is the SEARCH BOX in W10 File Explorer. The borders are aenemic and I have to peer each time I need to use it. And I use it an awful lot. In W7 the borders were in a good contrasting color. In W10 it looks like they are greyed out. I have removed most of W10’s irritants with Classic Shell but the search box problem remains. Please tell me it can be remedied.
^^ Check following:
https://www.askvg.com/review-new-updated-search-box-in-file-explorer-in-windows-10/
Thank you for the very concise and detailed answers you provide here – hard to find in other places and, therefore, much appreciated! 🙂
Steve