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How To Remove Search History in File Explorer on Windows 10

Do you want to remove Search History in File Explorer on Windows 10? File Explorer keeps a history of everything that you find for. Also, it enables you to save search results. However, manually you can save results but the history is saved automatically. This can be both essential, and irritating. It also depends on how you use the search feature, and how certain you use it. However, the search history might be essential for a while but when you don’t want to move back to a particular search term. Simply keeping it in history for little use. Come let’s check how you can remove search history in File Explorer on Windows 10.

Remove Search History in File Explorer

In this guide, you’ll learn four different methods for removing search history in File Explorer. The methods work after depending on the model of Windows 10 that you’re executing. The first two methods are less likely to work if you’re using Windows 10 1909, or later. The other two methods will work besides which version of Windows 10 you have.

Method 1: Shift + Delete

Similar to the Shift+Delete keyboard shortcut in browsers. The same shortcut can remove or delete individual entries in File Explorer’s history.

Step 1:

Head 0ver to the File Explorer. As it doesn’t matter which folder you open it as the history can’t be particular to folders.

Step 2:

Tap inside the search bar and wait a while for the list of items from your search history to appear.

Step 3:

Also, use the arrow keys or the mouse to indicate entry.

Step 4:

Once indicated, click the Shift+Delete keyboard shortcut to delete it.

Method 2: Search tab

Make sure the method works only on older or earlier versions of Windows 10. Also, it might work in Windows 8/8.1. It is unlikely to work on Windows 7.

Step 1:

Head over to File Explorer to any folder of your option.

Step 2:

Tap inside the search bar.

Step 3:

Now check if a new ‘Search’ tab is included in the ribbon.

Step 4:

Once the tab appears, move to it.

Step 5:

On the Search tab simply open the ‘Recent searches’ dropdown.

Step 6:

Tap the ‘Clear search history’ option.

Method 3: Modify the Windows registry

Simply make a small change in the registry then reset File Explorer’s search history.

Step 1:

To open a run box click the Win + R keyboard shortcut.

Step 2:

In the run box, type ‘regedit’, and click the Enter key.

Step 3:

So, in the registry editor that opens, move to this location :

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\WordWheelQuery
Step 4:

Remove everything under the ‘WorldWheelQuery’ key.

Step 5:

Right-tap the taskbar, and choose Task Manager from the context menu.

Step 6:

On the Processes tab, view for Windows Explorer.

Step 7:

Choose it, and tap the Restart button located at the bottom right.

Step 8:

In File Explorer, the search history should be removed.

Method 4: search-ms:

You can also force the ‘Search’ tab to appear in the latest versions of Windows 10 and remove File Explorer’s history from it.

Step 1:

Head over to the File Explorer.

Step 2:

Tap inside the search bar, and input search-ms: in it. Click Enter.

Step 3:

Now the Search tab will now appear on the ribbon.

Step 4:

Move to the Search tab. Tap the dropdown arrow next to Recent searches.

Step 5:

From the dropdown, choose ‘Clear search history

Microsoft also modified the File Explorer but it seems to left out a choice to easily remove the search history. We suggest you try the first two methods and then try the others two. You probably want to edit the registry last. Once you remove the search history, new history will be populated based on your searches.

Conclusion:

Here’s all about “Remove Search History in File Explorer on Windows 10”. Is this article helpful? Dis you face any issue while removing search history in file explorer on Windows 10? Share your thoughts with us in the comment down the section below. Also, for further queries and questions let us know in the comment section below!

Till then! Peace Out ?

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