Search Suggestions in File Explorer - Enable or Disable in Windows 8

How to Enable or Disable Search "Auto Suggestions" in File Explorer in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable search suggestion entries to be stored and displayed as users type into the Search Box of File Explorer for specific or all users in Windows 8.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

Note   Note
File Explorer shows suggestion pop-ups as users type into the Search Box. These suggestions are based on their past entries into the Search Box.


EXAMPLE: Search "Auto Suggest" in File Explorer
W8_File_Explorer.jpg





OPTION ONE

To Enable or Disable File Explorer Search Suggestions using a REG File



Note   Note
The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

DisableSearchBoxSuggestions DWORD

0 = Enable Search Box Suggestions
1 = Disable Search Box Suggestions



1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​
2. To Enable File Explorer Search Suggestions for Only Current User
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Enable_File_Explorer_Search_Box_Suggestions.reg
download
3. To Disable File Explorer Search Suggestions for Only Current User
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Disable_File_Explorer_Search_Box_Suggestions.reg
download
4. Save the .reg file to the desktop.​
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.​
6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.​
7. If open, close and reopen File Explorer to apply.​
8. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​





OPTION TWO

To Enable or Disable File Explorer Search Suggestions in Group Policy


NOTE: This option for using group policy is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.
1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.​
2. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and open File Explorer. (see screenshot below)​
GPEDIT-1.jpg
3. In the right pane of File Explorer, double click/tap on Turn off display of recent serach entries in the Windows Explorer search box. (see screenshot above)​
4. Do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do.​
5. To Enable File Explorer Search Suggestions
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 6A)​
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.​
B) Go to step 7 below.​
6. To Disable File Explorer Search Suggestions
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​
GPEDIT-2.jpg
7. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Enable_File_Explorer_Search_Box_Suggestions.reg
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  • Disable_File_Explorer_Search_Box_Suggestions.reg
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  • Libraries-2.png
    Libraries-2.png
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