How to Make the Computer Forget What You Searched

You can eliminate your Windows file search history in the Registry Editor.

The Windows registry stores a wide spectrum of information about applications, operating system settings and activities that you've performed on the computer. The registry stores each set of information in an entry called a registry key. Your registry's "WordWheelQuery" keys retain information on all file searches that you've performed in your computer; Windows accesses these keys when it displays search history or tries to auto-complete a search task. You can reset your computer's file search history by deleting the appropriate WordWheelQuery key.

Instructions

1. Press the Windows Logo key and press R to open a run command box.

2. Type "regedit" in the run command box; press "Enter" to open the Windows Registry Editor.

3. Navigate to the entry for the following key in the Registry browser on the left side of the program window:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\WordWheelQuery

4. Right-click the entry for "MRUListEx" in the keys list on the right side of the program window.

5. Click "Delete" in the menu, then click "Yes" to delete your search history.

References

• Microsoft Answers: How to Clear the Search Record