How to Clear File Explorer Search History in Windows 10
The search box in File Explorer will show a list of suggestions as you type in the search box. These suggestions are the history of your past typed searches into the search box.
Starting with Windows 10 build 18894, Microsoft started to roll out a new File Explorer search experience – now powered by Windows Search, and available to everyone starting with Windows 10 build 18945.
This tutorial will show you how to clear the typed search history in File Explorer for your account in Windows 10.
Contents
- Option One: To Remove Specific Previous Searches from File Explorer Search History by Click
- Option Two: To Remove Specific Previous Searches from File Explorer Search History by Right Click
- Option Three: To Clear All File Explorer Search History in Ribbon
- Option Four: To Clear All File Explorer Search History using a BAT file
EXAMPLE: Search history in File Explorer
This option is only available starting with Windows 10 build 19536.
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Click/tap inside the search box. (see screenshot below)
3 Select the previous search (ex: *.jpg) that you want to delete.
4 Click/tap on the X to the right of the previous search (ex: *.jpg) to delete it.
This option is only available starting with Windows 10 build 19536.
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Click/tap inside the search box. (see screenshot below)
3 Right click on the previous search (ex: *.jpg) that you want to delete.
4 Click/tap on Remove from device to delete it.
1 While you are currently performing a search in File Explorer, click/tap on the Search (Search Tools) tab.
2 In the Search tab, click/tap on Recent searches, and click/tap on Clear search history in the drop down menu.
If Recent searches is grayed out, then you do not have any search history to clear.
The downloadable .bat file in this option contains the command below that will delete these items to clear the File Explorer Search history for your account.
REG Delete HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\WordWheelQuery /VA /F
1 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below.
2 Save the .bat file to your desktop.
3 Unblock the .bat file.
4 Double click/tap on the .bat file to run it.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Search in File Explorer in Windows 10
- How to Change Search Options in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Search History in Windows 10 File Explorer
- How to Clear File Explorer and Run Dialog Box History in Windows 10
- How to Create a Search Shortcut in Windows 10
- Turn On or Off Inline AutoComplete in File Explorer and Run Dialog in Windows 10
- How to Save a Search in Windows 10
- How to Clear Your Search History for On-device Searches in Windows 10