Windows Shell Autocomplete History Registry Locations

Windows tracks and stores shell autocomplete and Most Recently Used (MRU) history across several dedicated keys within the Windows Registry. Depending on whether you are looking for File Explorer address bar entries, Run dialog inputs, or search bar suggestions, the data is indexed under specific user profile registry paths. This guide details the exact locations of these autocomplete lists in regedit.exe and explains how they are organized.

File Explorer Address Bar History (Typed Paths)

The list of manually typed URLs and file paths in the File Explorer address bar is stored under the TypedPaths key.

• Registry Path:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths
• Structure:
  Entries are stored as String Values named url1, url2, url3, and so on. Deleting these values clears the autocomplete dropdown for the address bar.

Run Dialog Autocomplete History (RunMRU)

Commands, file paths, and programs entered into the Windows Run dialog (Windows Key + R) are tracked under the RunMRU key.

• Registry Path:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
• Structure:
  Entries are stored as individual String Values assigned alphabetical letters (e.g., a, b, c). A separate MRUList string defines the order in which these entries appear in the Run box dropdown.

Explorer Search Bar History (WordWheelQuery)

Search terms typed into the File Explorer search box are saved under the WordWheelQuery key.

• Registry Path:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\WordWheelQuery
• Structure:
  Search history entries are stored as numbered Binary Values (0, 1, 2, etc.), ordered by an MRUListEx binary key.

General AutoComplete and AutoSuggest Settings

Settings governing the behavior of shell autocomplete (such as whether suggestions append automatically) are located in the AutoComplete configuration key.

• Registry Path:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoComplete
• Key Values:
  • AutoSuggest: Set to yes or no to enable or disable suggestion dropdowns.
  • Append Completion: Set to yes or no to control whether the shell automatically completes typed text inline.

How to Clear Shell Autocomplete History in Regedit

1. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the desired registry path listed above.
3. In the right-hand pane, select the individual value entries you wish to delete (avoid deleting the (Default) value).
4. Right-click the selected entries and choose Delete.
5. Restart explorer.exe or sign out of your Windows account for the changes to take immediate effect.