How to Delete the Windows Search History

Deleting the Windows search history keeps nosy intruders from trying to spy on your computer and see what websites you've been to. It's not a matter of having anything to hide, but simply of finding a way to have your privacy respected. You can clear your search history, as well as private information that may be stored temporarily on the Internet. Here's a quick guide to clearing this data from your own computer.

Instructions

How to Delete the Windows Search History

1. Open an Internet window and click the "Tools" menu at the top.

2. Select "Options" or "Internet Options," depending on which browser you are using.

3. Click the "General" tab if you are using Internet Explorer. At the bottom, you should have the option to delete your history. You can also set the number of days you would like the computer to keep your history. Set this number to zero if you do not want your history saved at all.

4. Click the "Delete Files" button if you wish to delete any temporary files stored that show pages you have recently viewed.

5. Click the "Privacy" tab in Mozilla Firefox. Here, you can also set the number of days you want the computer to keep your history. Uncheck the box labeled, "Remember what I enter in forms and the search bar." This will disable sites like Google from storing what you have searched for before.

6. Click the "Clear Now" button, toward the bottom of the menu, to clear any private data Firefox has stored about you. You can also do this by pressing "Ctrl+Shift+Delete" on the keyboard.

Tips & Warnings

• Deleting cookies is another way to keep Internet sites from tracking your computer. This option is usually found on the same page as the option to delete your history.