Turn off storage and display of search history

Purpose

Show registry keys (1)

• HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\DisableSearchHistory

This per-user registry value controls whether Windows stores search queries in search history and uses that history to offer suggestions during subsequent searches in the search pane.

The value uses the REG_DWORD type. A value of 1 prevents Windows from adding new queries to this history and suppresses suggestions derived from previous searches. A value of 0 allows Windows to retain search history and use it for those suggestions.

Suggestions supplied by applications or generated by Windows from local content remain available. The value does not disable search or indexing.

Notes

Security

Preventing storage reduces the local record of searches performed by the user. Consequently, other processes or people with access to the user profile cannot derive those search terms from newly created history entries.

The policy does not protect searched files, change access permissions, or restrict access to file contents. Microsoft's policy description also does not document automatic deletion of history that was stored before the policy took effect.

Possible side effects

Suggestions based on previous searches are no longer available, so users may need to re-enter frequently used search terms.

Notes

This is a user-scoped setting defined in Search.admx under Windows Components > Search. Microsoft identifies it as supported on Windows 8 or later.

DisableSearchHistory is distinct from DisableSearchBoxSuggestions. The latter belongs to a different policy and specifically controls the display and storage of previous entries in the File Explorer search box.

Microsoft documentation

Microsoft Download Center: Group Policy Settings Reference Spreadsheet for Windows 11 2026 Update

Microsoft Learn: ADMX_WindowsExplorer Policy CSP – DisableSearchBoxSuggestions

See also

• Entry in the reference