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Clear Explorer Search History in Windows 7

with 12 comments

If you search for something in Windows Explorer, Windows 7 stores the search query in its history. If you go back at a later time interval, you’ll find your previous searches listed there.

Clear Windows 7 Explorer Search History

How to clear search history in Windows 7?

You can delete previous searches done in Windows 7 Explorer using the registry. Here’s how you can do that:

  • Press Win+R and type regedit. Hit Enter. If the UAC prompts you, click Yes.
  • Go to the key HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerWordWheelQuery
  • Right click on ‘WordWheelQuery’ and choose the Delete option. Click Yes in the confirmation dialog.
  • Close the Registry Editor

You will no longer see previous search queries in Windows Explorer. Your search history has been completely deleted.

Delete Windows Explorer Search History

I’ve recorded a screencast showing the entire process. Here’s the video:

Disclaimer: If you’re going to use the registry editor to clear recent searches in Windows Explorer in Windows 7, use it at your own risk. The author is not responsible for any damage caused.

Related posts:

  1. Check Out Our Bag of Windows 7 How-Tos
  2. Disable Windows 7 Features: Internet Explorer 8, Windows Search, XPS Viewer and Others
  3. Show Hidden Windows Explorer Menu Bar in Windows 7 or Vista
  4. How to clear Skype IM Chat and Call History?
  5. Version History for MS Word 2007 Documents

Written by Shankar Ganesh

May 6th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

Posted in how to

Tagged with ,

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12 Responses to 'Clear Explorer Search History in Windows 7'

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  1. YAY!
    thanks a bunch!
    :D

    Brady

    7 May 09 at 3:26 am

  2. Thanks Man..that was gr8…

    Ank

    13 May 09 at 8:26 pm

  3. Great man thanks… really helpful

    Harravi

    19 Jun 09 at 7:45 pm

  4. too easy, cheers!

    Daz

    3 Aug 09 at 10:16 am

  5. Just highlight the item and press the delete button on your keyboard LOL!!!

    LOL!!!

    30 Aug 09 at 7:07 am

  6. ye, its not there, so what now? and yes i looked in the right place before anyone says owt.

    erm!!!

    8 Sep 09 at 6:15 pm

  7. I do not have the last item the wordwheelquerry option. I watched the video and everything. Now what?

    Nick

    24 Nov 09 at 3:08 am

  8. Hello!

    Is it possible to retain the deleted ‘WordWheelQuery’? I mean does it completely erases the search history or temporarily?

    Zaidad

    28 Nov 09 at 4:59 am

  9. Thanks alot!

    Cal

    12 Dec 09 at 3:54 am

  10. There is an easier way than editing your registry. Simply open an explorer window and click on the search box. The list of previously searched items will be displayed. Press the down arrow button to select the first item and press delete. That one item will be deleted. Hold delete to scroll through and delete the rest of the entries.

    dan

    15 Dec 09 at 1:41 am

  11. Thank you Dan

    Sam

    3 Jan 10 at 3:37 am

  12. Hah! That kills me! Delete… who woulda thunk it… awesome.

    Scooby

    17 Mar 10 at 11:14 am

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