With Windows Search, one can search their local device for files, settings, and apps. If one signs in with their personal Microsoft account or work and school accounts, they can also use Windows Search to search their OneDrive, Outlook, and SharePoint, including other Microsoft services. When one turns on cloud content search, Windows saves recent search history locally on the device by default, which helps users find things faster. Things that you search for previously may rank higher in the search results using this feature. There are also filters that one can use to make sure only the content and location a user wants to search are shown in the results.

How to enable or disable search history in Windows 11

As mentioned above, Windows Search lets you search from your taskbar to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s on your device, in the cloud, or on the web. Windows saves recent search history locally on the device by default, which helps users find things faster. Below is how to enable or disable recent search history: Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. From system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows, all can be done from its Settings app. To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings as shown in the image below: Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it. Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Privacy & security > Search permissions tile to expand it. On the Privacy & security > Search permissions settings pane, under History, toggle the buttons to On or Off to enable or disable search history on the device. You can now exit the Settings app. That should do it! Conclusion: This post showed you how to enable or disable search history on a Windows 11 device. If you find any error above or have something to add, please use the comment form below.