The Windows Explorer search feature saves your recent searches by default, making it easier to search for the same terms again. However, if you don't like this feature, you can turn it off.
If you share your computer with others or if it is a corporate computer, you may not want others to see your search terms that you have used and that are saved in File Explorer. Search history can be disabled either by changing the registry or by using the Group Policy Editor. We will show you both methods, but note that the Group Policy Editor is not available in the Home edition of Windows.
Also note that in Windows 7 the same program is called Windows Explorer in English and the process for deleting them remains the same.
Solution 1. Disable Explorer Search History via Registry
First, create a system restore point before continuing. That way, if something goes wrong, you can always restore it to its previous state.
Open the Registry Editor. If you don't know how, then press the Win + R keys simultaneously and in the run window that appears, type the word "regedit" and press the OK button.
In the Registry Editor that appears, navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
If the last key, namely “Explorer”, does not exist, you can create it by right-clicking on the immediately preceding “Windows” key and selecting New > Key. Name the new key “Explorer”
Next, left-click on the Explorer key that you just created (or that existed and you didn't need to create it), then right-click on any empty space in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Type DisableSearchBoxSuggestions as the value name. Then, double-click on the new DisableSearchBoxSuggestions value to enter its properties.
In the “Value data” field of its properties, enter the number 1 and click “OK”.
Close Registry Editor. Your changes will be saved automatically. You will need to restart your computer for this change to take effect.
Once you restart, you won't see any difference at first, but when you type the first term and then want to repeat your search, you will see that Windows no longer keeps a search history.
Solution 2. Disable Search History via the Local Group Policy Editor
If you're using Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise, the easiest way to disable Search History in Windows Explorer is by using the Local Group Policy Editor. It's a very powerful tool, so if you haven't used it yet, it's worth taking a moment to learn what it can do. Also, if your computer is on a company network, it's a good idea to talk to your administrator first, as your decision could affect an entire group that you're on.
You should create a system restore point before continuing. That way, if something goes wrong, you can always restore it to its previous state.
Open the Start menu, type “Edit Policy” in the search box, and click “Edit Group Policy” in the list of results.
In the left pane, navigate to User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\File Explorer. Then, go to the right pane and double-click on “Turn off showing recent search entries in the Explorer search box.”.
Click “Enabled” in the upper left corner and then click the OK button.
Close the Group Policy Editor. Your changes should take effect immediately, and File Explorer will no longer record your searches.
