How to Delete Explorer Search History
In today’s digital age, privacy is a major concern for many users. One aspect of privacy that often goes unnoticed is the search history stored by Windows Explorer. This history can contain sensitive information that you may not want others to see. If you’re looking to delete your Explorer search history, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do so.
Step 1: Open Windows Explorer
The first step is to open Windows Explorer. You can do this by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar, or by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
Step 2: Access the Search History
Once Windows Explorer is open, click on the search box at the top-right corner of the window. This will open a dropdown menu with a list of your recent searches.
Step 3: Clear the Search History
To delete the search history, click on the “Clear” button at the bottom of the dropdown menu. A confirmation dialog will appear, asking if you’re sure you want to clear the search history. Click “Yes” to proceed.
Step 4: Delete Search History from the Registry
While the previous step cleared the search history from the dropdown menu, it may still be stored in the Windows Registry. To delete it from there, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Search
4. In the right pane, find the “History” key and right-click on it.
5. Select “Delete” and confirm the deletion.
Step 5: Delete Search History from the Indexed Data
The search history may also be stored in the indexed data. To delete it, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and find the “Windows Search” service.
4. Right-click on it and select “Stop” to stop the service.
5. Navigate to the following folder: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search
6. Delete the “History” folder and the “Index” folder.
7. Restart the “Windows Search” service by right-clicking on it and selecting “Start.”
By following these steps, you should have successfully deleted your Explorer search history. Remember to regularly clear your search history to maintain your privacy and keep your system running smoothly.
