How to Delete History From the Search Under the Start Menu
Microsoft Windows keeps track of the activities performed to make commonly used programs, tasks and searches easier to access. While many users appreciate this function, others see it as an invasion of privacy, since anyone who shares your computer can see many of your recent activities. One such feature that keeps track of your activities is the "Search" feature found in the "Start" menu, which will store search results after file searches are completed and terminated. The process to delete the Windows "Search" history is easy.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Download Spybot -- Search & Destroy from the link in the resources below. Once the installation file has been downloaded, double-click on it to install Spybot -- Search & Destroy. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. After the installation is complete, Spybot -- Search & Destroy will automatically start, running a wizard to setup the software.
-
2
Click "Create registry backup" on step 3 of the Spybot -- Search & Destroy first run wizard. This will back up your Windows Registry, the location where your "Search" history is stored. This backup is made as a precaution while you are familiarizing yourself with Spybot -- Search & Destroy. The rest of the steps in the Wizard, then click "start using this program" once the final step is done.
-
-
3
Click "Search & Destroy" once the first run wizard is complete, then click "Check for problems." Allow Spybot -- Search & Destroy to clean up your temporary files if prompted to do so.
-
4
Wait for the system scan to complete, then view the "Problem" window. All of the green entries are "usage tracks," meaning that they involve tracking user-inputted data, such as the "Search" tool. Find the entry for "Search History," and click "Fix."
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Spybot -- Search & Destroy is a powerful tool that can identify many system issues and fix them. Explore the "Help" menu item in the software to learn more about what Spybot -- Search & Destroy can do for your PC.
Spybot -- Search & Destroy is free. If you find the software useful, be sure to click the "Donations" button in the program to give the creators of the software some monetary support.
This process must be done on a regular basis to keep your "Search" history private, as this only clears out the "Search" results, but does not disable the logging of searches made.
