Win10 File Explorer search history dropdown only listing last 3 search

dalchina said:

Hi, build 19045.3803


=> MS has been messing around with search again...or is this just a side-effect

N.B. uninstalling that update does NOT change this limit.

I think I'm seeing the same: compare these two:
Attachment 402704Attachment 402705

Note the two ways to view search history.
(I don't use search history, so haven't noticed this).

I have 'classic search' enabled ... 1 click using Winaero's free tweaker reverts search behaviour pretty much to as it was to build 1903.

I guess this is the Reddit post you mentioned, but whose URL you didn't give:
explorer dropdown

Also see this related thread (discussion, no solution)
File Explorer Recent searches: Increase the number of saved searches?

Do you mean this here?

Restore Classic Search in File Explorer in Windows 10 version 1909

That mach command stopped working after a CU. I dont know which one, but I know if I clean install 21H2 it works, but if I install the latest CU, it no longer works and the new search box is forced. Mach is used to enable previous functionality which Microsoft might keep in place to allow them to rollback broken updates, but there is no assurance that old code will stay functional and it looks like to me, the old search box code is now stripped out of windows, so you have raised my curiosity when you say you are using classic search.

In regards to the update I dont like the new search box, however one of the annoyances was there was brief lag when clicking the search box, and now that lag is gone at least, so whatever they changed in the most recent update has at least made it not quite as bad as before.

- - - Updated - - -

LesFerch said:

It's the same issue. In 2019, Windows 10 build 1909 introduced a new search that included a longer history drop down list. It also took away instant results (i.e. you have to press Enter) and searched online in some cases.

A recent Microsoft update reverted everyone back to the Classic search of Windows build 1903 and earlier.



No. What you have now is Classic search. You want to get the "new search" restored. That will require the Vivetool command:

vivetool /enable /id:18755234

You are right, not only is the lag now gone, it is indeed the old behaviour I think, interesting Microsoft u-turned.

I wonder how long ago it was they switched it back.

Chrysalis said:

I wonder how long ago it was they switched it back.

Apparently, it was first seen by Insiders November 16, 2023:

Windows 10 build 19045.3754 - BetaWiki

I think it was first seen in the release preview November 30, 2023 with build 19045.3758. That's when I saw it.

Most machines would have received the change around December 12, 2023 with build 3803.

There was no mention of this change in the release notes for either update:

KB5032278 Windows 10 Cumulative Update Preview Build 19045.3758 (22H2)

KB5033372 Windows 10 Cumulative Update Build 19044.3803 and 19045.3803