LOGO

Delete Search Charm History in Windows 8 - Step-by-Step Guide

November 14, 2012
Delete Search Charm History in Windows 8 - Step-by-Step Guide

Managing Search History in Windows 8

The Search Charm within Windows 8 retains a record of all your searches, offering convenience through recall. However, when utilizing a shared computer, maintaining privacy regarding your search history becomes important.

Deleting Your Search History

Removing your search history is a straightforward process. This ensures that your previous queries are not visible to other users of the system.

Here are the steps to clear your search history:

  • Open the Search Charm by pressing the Windows key + Q.
  • Click on the "History" option located on the left-hand side.
  • Select "Clear search history."

Disabling Search History

Alternatively, you can prevent Windows 8 from saving your search history altogether. This is a more permanent solution for those consistently concerned about privacy.

To disable search history, follow these instructions:

  • Access the Settings menu within the Search Charm (Windows key + Q, then click Settings).
  • Toggle the "Search history" option to the "Off" position.

By disabling this feature, Windows 8 will no longer store your search queries, enhancing your privacy when using a shared PC.

These methods provide control over your search history, allowing you to balance convenience with the need for privacy in a multi-user environment.

Managing Search History in Windows 8

To access the Charms bar in Windows 8, either press the Win + C keys simultaneously, or navigate your mouse cursor to the screen's bottom-right corner.

This action will reveal the Charms bar; from there, select the Settings Charm.

how-to-delete-or-disable-search-charm-history-in-windows-8-1.jpg

Following this, click the "Change PC settings" link to launch the Modern UI Control Panel.

how-to-delete-or-disable-search-charm-history-in-windows-8-2.jpg

Once the Control Panel is open, transition to the Search section.

how-to-delete-or-disable-search-charm-history-in-windows-8-3.jpg

On the right side of the screen, you’ll find options related to your search history.

If your intention is simply to clear existing searches, click the "Delete history" button.

how-to-delete-or-disable-search-charm-history-in-windows-8-4.jpg

Alternatively, to prevent future searches from being saved, you can disable the history feature.

Disabling the feature doesn't require prior deletion of existing history; it will be automatically cleared upon deactivation.

how-to-delete-or-disable-search-charm-history-in-windows-8-5.jpg

Simply toggle the option to prevent Windows from saving your searches.

how-to-delete-or-disable-search-charm-history-in-windows-8-6.jpg

With this setting adjusted, the Search functionality remains available, but your search queries will no longer be retained by the system.

#Windows 8#Search Charm#history#delete#disable#privacy