Disable Run Dialog Autocomplete via Regedit

The Windows Run dialog automatically provides inline suggestions and dropdown history for URLs, commands, and file paths as you type. While convenient, this feature can clutter your workflow or expose sensitive path histories. This guide explains how to disable URL and file path autocomplete suggestions in the Windows Run dialog using the Windows Registry Editor.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

  1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter (or click OK).
  3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant administrative permissions.

Step 2: Navigate to the AutoComplete Key

In the Registry Editor address bar at the top, paste the following path and press Enter:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoComplete

Note: If the AutoComplete key does not exist under Explorer, right-click on the Explorer folder, select New > Key, and name it AutoComplete.

Step 3: Modify or Create the AutoSuggest Values

To disable the dropdown suggestions and inline autocomplete, you need to adjust two string values inside the AutoComplete key:

  1. Disable Dropdown Suggestions:
    • Right-click an empty area in the right pane and select New > String Value.
    • Name the new value AutoSuggest.
    • Double-click AutoSuggest, set its Value data to no, and click OK.
  2. Disable Inline Append Completion (Optional but Recommended):
    • Right-click an empty area in the right pane and select New > String Value.
    • Name the new value Append Completion.
    • Double-click Append Completion, set its Value data to no, and click OK.

Step 4: Apply the Changes

For the changes to take effect immediately, restart Windows Explorer:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. Locate Windows Explorer in the Processes list.
  3. Right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart.

Once restarted, open the Run dialog (Win + R) and type a path. Autocomplete suggestions and dropdown lists will no longer appear. To revert these changes in the future, navigate back to the same registry key and change both values to yes, or delete the AutoSuggest and Append Completion string values.