📎 AI Summary:
The thread asks how to stop File Explorer’s address bar from saving and later showing a history of typed locations. The main replies explain that Windows stores typed address-bar entries in a registry key that can be cleared, and that autocomplete/suggestions can be reduced or disabled via related registry settings (with a possible admin/policy-based option if per-user changes don’t stick). Overall, the sentiment is that it’s largely achievable, though some built-in suggestions may still appear depending on the Windows version/settings.
The thread asks how to stop File Explorer’s address bar from saving and later showing a history of typed locations. The main replies explain that Windows stores typed address-bar entries in a registry key that can be cleared, and that autocomplete/suggestions can be reduced or disabled via related registry settings (with a possible admin/policy-based option if per-user changes don’t stick). Overall, the sentiment is that it’s largely achievable, though some built-in suggestions may still appear depending on the Windows version/settings.
Solution
Hi artoo — yes, mostly. Windows stores File Explorer address-bar typed history in the registry, and you can clear it. You can also reduce/disable the autocomplete drop-down behavior, but Windows may still show some built-in location suggestions depending on build/settings.
Expected result: previously typed File Explorer address-bar entries should be gone.
Then restart Explorer or sign out and back in.
For the policy-level setting:
Then restart Explorer again.
Option 1: Clear the current address-bar history
- Close all File Explorer windows.
- Open Command Prompt or Windows Terminal.
- Run:
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths" /f- Restart File Explorer:
Code:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exeOption 2: Disable address-bar AutoSuggest
This may stop or reduce the drop-down suggestions when clicking/typing in the address bar.- Open Command Prompt as your normal user.
- Run:
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoComplete" /v AutoSuggest /t REG_SZ /d no /f- Restart File Explorer:
Code:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exeStronger policy-level option
If the per-user setting does not stick, try the policy location. This requires Administrator Command Prompt:reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoComplete" /v AutoSuggest /t REG_SZ /d no /fThen restart Explorer or sign out and back in.
To undo the change
For the per-user setting:reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoComplete" /v AutoSuggest /fFor the policy-level setting:
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoComplete" /v AutoSuggest /fThen restart Explorer again.
Important note
TheTypedPaths key clears what you typed before. The AutoSuggest setting attempts to prevent suggestions from appearing again. Windows 11 may still show some normal shell/location suggestions, so this may not make the address bar completely blank in every situation. Before changing registry settings, it is a good idea to create a restore point.