Windows 11 File Explorer no longer remembers search history; how to reenable?

Hi Diplocaulus,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

I'm Hahn and I'm here to help you with your concern.

I’m sorry to hear that you are having trouble with File Explorer not remembering your search history.

One possible solution is to disable and clear the search history on Windows 11 using these steps:

Clear the File Explorer history: Open File Explorer, click on the "View" tab in the ribbon, and then click on "Options." In the "Folder Options" window, click on the "Clear" button next to "Clear File Explorer history." This will clear the search history and may enable it to start working again.

Check the Windows Search service: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type "services.msc" and hit Enter. In the Services window, scroll down to "Windows Search" and make sure it is running. If it's not running, right-click on it and select "Start."

Rebuild the Windows Search index: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type "control.exe srchadmin.dll" and hit Enter. In the Indexing Options window, click on "Advanced," then "Rebuild" under Troubleshooting. This will rebuild the Windows Search index, which may help restore the search history.

Check your system for malware: It's possible that malware may be interfering with the search history feature. Run a malware scan using your preferred antivirus software to check for any threats.

Check the Search settings: Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I, then click on "Search" and select "Searching Windows." Make sure that the option "Search history on this device" is enabled.

Reset the File Explorer Options: Open File Explorer, click on the "View" tab in the ribbon, and then click on "Options." In the "Folder Options" window, click on the "Reset Folders" button under the "View" tab. This will reset the File Explorer Options to their default settings.

Hopefully, one of these steps will help you re-enable the file search history in File Explorer on your Windows 11 Home computer.

If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Your Sincerely

Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

I can't speak for the OP but I tried the steps you describe and still have the issue, I have this on both windows 11 computers I use and it's quite annoying. I posted about this over a week ago and the reply was that this is a known bug reported by multiple people. Can you confirm is this a bug that is being worked on? If anyone has managed to solve it I'd appreciate a solution.

Thanks

Thank you for the suggestions. I tried them all except the last (I do not want to reset my File Explorer customizations), but the problem remains. Also, some of the steps outlined do not match my Windows version:

Clear the File Explorer history: Open File Explorer, click on the "View" tab in the ribbon, and then click on "Options." In the "Folder Options" window, click on the "Clear" button next to "Clear File Explorer history." This will clear the search history and may enable it to start working again.

This is incorrect. "Options" is available under the three dots on the Explorer ribbon, not under "View."

Check the Search settings: Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I, then click on "Search" and select "Searching Windows." Make sure that the option "Search history on this device" is enabled.

This is incorrect. There is no "Search" option here. Where is it?

Hi Diplocaulus,

I apologize for the confusion caused by my previous response. Here are the steps to clear the File Explorer history and check the search settings in Windows 11:

To clear the File Explorer history:

Open File Explorer.

Click on the three dots (ellipsis) in the upper-right corner of the window to open the menu.

Click on "Options."

In the "Folder Options" window, click on the "Clear" button next to "Clear File Explorer history."

To check the search settings:

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

Click on "Search" in the left-hand menu.

Click on "Permissions & history."

Under "History," make sure that the option "Search history on this device" is enabled.

According to the information provided by dear Hermitish, this does not exclude that it is a file explorer error.

I have submitted this issue for you through internal channels. In addition, you can also submit your problem through the Feedback Hub (if convenient, please provide as much detail as possible, including pictures, repro videos, etc.).  

Your Sincerely

Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi Hermitish,

Thank you for the information, I checked the post you wrote before and wondered if you had submitted your feedback.

If you have already submitted, please share the feedback link, I will submit your feedback to the relevant team for investigation through internal channels.

If you don't have it yet, you can also submit your problem through the Feedback Hub (if convenient, please provide as much detail as possible, including pictures, repro videos, etc.).  

Your Sincerely

Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi Hahn - MSFT,

Thank you for your suggestions and for reporting this issue to MS. I completed the steps you outlined in "To clear the File Explorer history", however for "To check the search settings" I see no Search option in the left-hand menu (see attached screenshot).

Could you kindly post a screenshot from your own Windows 11 PC? Thank you.

Hi Diplocaulus,

Sorry, my expression may have misunderstood you.

You can navigate to "Privacy & security > Searching Windows" by searching for the keyword "Searching" in the search box.

This is happening on both my Windows 11 PCs too.

I have searched the internet, and tried all suggestions, including those here - nothing works.

Can MS confirm this is a known issue, and will be fixed?

Hi Eugene,

Thank you for your feedback.

I have submitted this issue through internal channels. To be fixed by the technical team to collect more evidence and better analyze this issue, pending subsequent releases.

In addition, you can also submit your problem through the Feedback Hub (if convenient, please provide as much detail as possible, including pictures, repro videos, etc.).  

Please share the feedback link here after submitting as it will allow others on the forum to vote for your submission, including me. More votes will lead to more visibility and higher priority to the development team.

If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Your Sincerely

Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi Hahn - MSFT,

Thank you again for your response and for the screen shot. Per your directions:

Click on "Permissions & history."

Under "History," make sure that the option "Search history on this device" is enabled.

Two questions:

1) Typing "Searching" into the search fields opens a screen different from your screenshot example (see attached). Is your screenshot from Windows 11? Or another version of Windows?

2) Neither in your screenshot example, nor on my system, are there options titled "History" nor "Search history on this device." Where do I find these options? Thanks again.