How to Clear Search History in Windows 11 and 10

The search box on the Windows taskbar keeps its own list of recent searches, and it sends web searches to Bing. Clearing Bing history doesn't touch the Windows list, and the reverse is also true.

Windows 11

1. Open Settings (Win+I).
2. Go to Privacy & security > Search permissions.
3. Under History, select Clear device search history.
4. Turn off Search history on this device if you don't want new searches kept.

On the same page, Cloud content search controls whether Windows search includes results from your Microsoft account and work or school account.

Windows 10

1. Open Settings > Search > Permissions & History.
2. Select Clear device search history.
3. Turn off Search history on this device.

Web searches from the taskbar

When you type in the taskbar box and pick a web result, the search runs on Bing. If you're signed in to Windows with a Microsoft account, it can be saved to your account's search history. Clear it with the Bing history guide.

Turn off Bing web results in Windows search

For a search box that only looks at your PC, add this policy (advanced users; back up the registry first):

1. Press Win+R, type regedit and press Enter.
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer (create the Explorer key if it's missing).
3. Create a DWORD (32-bit) value named DisableSearchBoxSuggestions and set it to 1.
4. Sign out and back in, or restart.

On Windows Pro, the same setting is in the Group Policy Editor: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer > Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box. Delete the value (or set it to 0) to undo. More options in can Bing be removed from Windows.

File Explorer search history

• Windows 10: click in the File Explorer search box, open the Search tab, then Recent searches > Clear search history.
• Windows 11: File Explorer keeps recent searches under the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\WordWheelQuery. Deleting the values in that key clears the list.

Frequently asked questions

Does clearing Windows search history clear Bing history?

No. Windows keeps device search history; Bing keeps your web searches. Clear both if you want everything gone.

Will turning off web results break Windows search?

No. You can still find apps, files and settings. You just won't see Bing web results in the taskbar box.