How to tweak the auto-suggest feature in windows explorer

November 20, 2020 By Madhuparna

The File Explorer of Windows 10 comes with a built-in and handy auto complete feature that displays auto-suggestions matching the text that you type in. This is effective for the Run dialog box, File Explorer window, and in the address bar. This way, you can save time and accelerate the work time.

AutoComplete feature is by default set to Enabled in Windows 10. When you go to the Run box or to the File Explorer and type a few letters of the text, it will automatically suggest a few matches in a dropdown. The matches are pulled up from navigation and command history. However, if you want to disable it, you can easily turn it off using a simple adjustment in the Control Panel or in the Registry Editor. Let’s see how.

Method 1: How to Disable Auto Complete Feature via Control Panel

Step 1: Click on the Start button and type Control Panel in the search box. Click on the result to open the Control Panel window.

Step 2: In the Control Panel window, scroll down and click on Internet Options to open the Internet Properties dialog box.

Step 3: Now, click on the Content Tab, press the Settings button under the AutoComplete option.

Step 4: In the next dialog box that appears, under AutoComplete for, uncheck the options you want to disable and you are done.

Method 2: How to Disable Auto Complete Feature via Registry Editor

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box, type Regedit in the search box and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor window.

Step 2: In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the below registry key:

Under the Explorer folder on the left-hand side of the panel, click on AutoComplete.

Note:- If you can’t find Autocomplete folder under explorer, just select explorer , do a right click and choose key. Name this key AutoComplete.

Step 3: Right-click on the empty pane on the right-hand side, select New > click on String Value and name the value as AutoSuggest.

Step 4: Name the new String Value as AutoSuggest, and enter the Value Data as No. Click OK to save the changes.

To enable it back again, enter the value data as Yes.

Method 3: Tweak Internet Options

1. Press Windows key + R key together to open run box.

2. Write inetcpl.cpl in it and click OK.

3. Click on advanced tab.

4. Now, Uncheck Use Inline AutoComplete in File Explorer and Run Dialog.

5. Click OK and close the window.

I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares

The built-in file management tool, File Explorer, comes with a useful Auto Suggestions feature. When enabled, it automatically shows the suggested text that matches the letters you type in the Run dialog, in the address bar and in Open and Save dialogs of apps. It allows you to speed up your work and save your time. Auto Suggestions can be enabled or disabled in File Explorer with a simple Registry tweak in all modern operating systems including Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7.

The AutoSuggest feature is enabled by default in Windows 10. When you start typing in the Run box or File Explorer address bar, it automatically shows a list of suggested matches from your navigation and command history. You can save your time by selecting a suggestion instead of having to type all of it.

If you find this feature annoying, here’s how to disable it.

To disable Auto Suggestions in Run and File Explorer in Windows 10, do the following.

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Go to the following Registry key:

Tip: How to jump to the desired registry key with one click.

You can download ready-to-use Registry files here:

The undo tweak is included.

Alternatively, you can enable the Auto Suggestions feature from Internet Explorer Options. There is an option for File Explorer in the classic Internet Properties applet. Let’s see how it can be turned on.

Disable Auto Suggestions with the Control Panel

1. Open the classic Control Panel app.
2. Go to Control Panel\Network and Internet\Internet Options.
3. The Internet Properties dialog will be opened on the screen. There, switch to the Content tab.
4. Click on the Settings button under the AutoComplete section.
5. In the next dialog, configure the option Use AutoComplete for. Turn off the desired options.

Note: Windows 10 doesn’t save the command and location history when the App Launch Tracking feature is disabled. The Auto Suggestions feature won’t work in this case.

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About Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer from Russia who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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The following guide demonstrates how to disable auto suggest functionality in Windows Explorer (File Explorer) and the Run box on Windows devices.

When you type something in Explorer’s location field, suggestions are displayed based on certain factors, e.g. if a file of that name is found on the desktop.

The same happens when you launch the run box on Windows using Windows-R when you use it to run commands.

Some users may like the functionality as it makes it easy to select one of the suggested options to save time; others may dislike it for a number of reasons such as never using these suggestions and disliking the fact that the suggest menu hides some of the content in Explorer.

Windows administrators have two options to deal with the issue:

1. Make a change in the Windows Registry to turn suggestions off.
2. Use the Internet Options to do that instead.

Using the Windows Registry

You can turn off suggestions in Explorer and the Run box in the Registry. Note that you need elevated rights to make changes to the Registry.

1. Open the Start Menu on the Windows device.
2. Type regedit and select the result.
3. Confirm the UAC prompt that is displayed.
4. Go to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoComplete
   • Note: if AutoComplete does not exist, right-click on Explorer and select New > Key. Name it AutoComplete.
5. Right-click on AutoComplete and select New > String Value.
6. Name the String AutoSuggest.
7. Double-click on AutoSuggest and change the value to no.
8. Restart the PC.

Tip: if you don’t need the auto-complete feature create another String under AutoComplete. Name it Append Completion (with a space), and set it to no as well.

Using the Internet Properties

If you don’t want to make changes to the Registry, you may make the change in the Internet Options as well.

1. Open the Start Menu on the Windows PC or use Windows-R to open the run box.
2. Type inetcpl.cpl and hit return to open the Internet Options. Tip: check out our handy guide on opening Control Panel modules quickly using shortcuts.
3. Windows 10:
   1. Switch to the Advanced tab.
   2. Scroll down until you find “Use inline AutoComplete in File Explorer and Run Dialog”.
   3. Click ok.
4. Windows 7:
   1. Switch to the Content tab.
   2. Activate Settings next to AutoComplete.
   3. Remove the checkmark from “Address bar”.
   4. Click ok.
5. Close the Internet Options.

Closing words

There does not seem to be a way to disable suggestions in just one application and not the other.

Geoffrey_Carr

“Windows-Explorer” funkcija “Auto-Suggest” siūlo anksčiau buvusias aplankytas kelius automatiškai užpildytoje mados būsenoje, nors tai gali būti tikrai naudinga, taip pat gali būti nelinksma. Štai du registro pataisymai, kad truputį keistų.

Kaip ištrinti konkrečius spausdintus kelius iš langelio “Auto-Suggest”

Jei rankiniu būdu įveskite kelią į “Windows” naršyklės adreso juostą, jis gali būti užpildytas pasiūlymais, kurie buvo naudojami tik vieną ar du kartus. Štai greitas registro įsilaužimas ištrinti tuos, kuriuos dažnai nenaudojate.

Paspauskite “Windows” raktą ir R, kad atidarytumėte paleidimo laukelį ir įveskite regedit, tada paspauskite “Enter”.

Kai atidaromas registro rengyklė, pereikite prie šio kelio:

Dešinėje pusėje pamatysite daugybę “url” eilučių reikšmių, kurių stulpelyje “Duomenys” yra įrašytas kelias, galite tiesiog dešiniuoju pelės mygtuku spustelėkite eilutę ir pasirinkite trinti, kad nebūtų automatiškai pasiūlyta.

Pastaba: jei ištrinsite bendrą kelią, pvz., “Kompiuteris”, jis vis tiek gali būti rodomas automatiškai pasiūlyti.

Kaip išjungti automatinį pasiūlymą

Jei nenorite naudoti automatinio siūlymo funkcijos, galite jį išjungti su šia piktograma.

Paspauskite “Windows” raktą ir R, kad atidarytumėte paleidimo laukelį ir įveskite regedit, tada paspauskite “Enter”.

Kai atidaromas registro rengyklė, pereikite prie šio kelio:

Išplėskite “Explorer” klavišą, tada dešiniuoju pelės mygtuku spustelėkite jį ir sukurkite naują raktą, vadinamą “AutoComplete”.

Kai raktas bus sukurtas ir jūs jį pavadinate, dešinėje pusėje turėsite sukurti naują eilutės reikšmę, vadinamą “AutoSuggest”.

Atidarykite eilutę ir lauke Duomenų reikšmė įveskite numerį Nr.

Geoffrey_Carr

Az Automatikus Javaslat funkció a Windows Intézőben olyan útvonalakat javasol, amelyeket korábban egy teljesen kompozícionált módon vett fel, miközben tényleg hasznos lehet, de bosszantó is lehet. Itt van két registry hacks kicsit csípés.

Hogyan lehet törölni a konkrét gépelt útvonalakat az Auto-Suggest dobozból?

Ha manuálisan beírja az elérési utakat a Windows Intéző címsávjába, azok olyan javaslatokkal tölthetők be, amelyeket csak egyszer vagy kétszer használtak. Itt van egy gyors regisztrációs adatbázis, amely törli azokat, amelyeket gyakran nem használ.

Nyomja meg a Windows billentyűt és az R billentyűkombinációt egy futó mező megjelenítéséhez, írja be a regedit parancsot, majd nyomja meg az enter billentyűt.

A rendszerleíró adatbázis-szerkesztő megnyitásakor keresse meg a következő elérési utat:

A jobb oldalon egy csomó “url” karakterlánc érték lesz látható, amelyeknek a gépelt elérési útvonala van az Adat oszlopban, csak jobb gombbal kattinthat a szövegre, és a törléssel megakadályozhatja, hogy automatikusan jelezze.

Megjegyzés: Ha töröl egy közös elérési utat, például a számítógépet, akkor továbbra is megjelenik az automatikus jelzés.

Hogyan lehet letiltani az automatikus javaslatot?

Ha nem szeretné használni az automatikus javaslatot, letilthatja azt a következő csevegéssel.

Nyomja meg a Windows billentyűt és az R billentyűkombinációt egy futó mező megjelenítéséhez, írja be a regedit parancsot, majd nyomja meg az enter billentyűt.

A rendszerleíró adatbázis-szerkesztő megnyitásakor keresse meg a következő elérési utat:

Bontsa ki az Explorer billentyűt, majd kattintson rá jobb egérgombbal, és hozzon létre egy új kulcsot, amelyet az automatikus kiegészítésnek nevez.

Miután létrehozta a kulcsot, és megnevezte, a jobb oldalon új sztring értéket kell létrehoznia az AutoSuggest nevűnek.

Nyissa meg a karakterláncot, és az Adatérték mezőben írja be a no.

If you don’t want to see a long list of suggested tools or locations when typing into File Explorer or the Run line you can turn autocomplete off.

The autocomplete feature in Windows 10 File Explorer helps you navigate it easier by providing suggestions as you type. It works similarly to how it works in your browser. As you start typing in the File Explorer address bar or the Run dialog, suggestions are displayed. You don’t have to remember exact paths to get to a location or launch a utility.

The autocomplete feature comes in handy when using the Run dialog as it helps you remember the commands you want.

A good reason to turn the autocomplete feature off is that it offers too many suggestions. For example, did you know you can get to a website by manually typing the URL into File Explorer or Run? That can add up to a lot of irrelevant suggestions when you’re trying to get to open a specific utility.

When you start typing in File Explorer it will provide suggestions of where to go.

Disable AutoComplete in File Explorer with Registry Hack

The autocomplete feature should be enabled by default on most systems. But, if it isn’t on, or you want to turn it off, it just takes a simple tweak in the Registry. First, hit the keyboard combo of Windows Key + R to bring up the Run dialog and type: regedit and hit Enter or click OK.

Then head to the following path:

Then you need to create a new String Value in the left-panel named AutoSuggest. To do that, right-click and choose New > String Value and type in AutoSuggest.

After the string is created, double-click on it and set its Value data to either “yes” or “no” based on whether you want the autocomplete feature on or not.

That’s it. After you set the value, close out of Registry Editor and make sure it works. If you set it to “no” you won’t see the suggestions and vice versa.

How do you tweak File Explorer in Windows 10 to make navigating your system easier? Let us know in the comments below or join our Windows 10 Forums for more discussions and Windows troubleshooting advice.

By Avram Piltch 19 July 2021

The Windows 11 File Explorer has no ribbon and worse context menus.

There’s a lot to like about Windows 11, but for many people the new design of File Explorer is a let down. It has a similar layout to Windows 10’s File Explorer and an identical layout and functionality, but there’s no ribbon menu and many of the common menu items such as “view extensions” are buried in the options submenu.

Even worse, the buttons for basic functions such as cut, paste and rename are only icons with no text above them. The jump lists you get when you right click on a folder may have fewer options too. Fortunately, this is no reason to avoid downloading a Windows 11 ISO and installing the new OS. Below, we’ll show you a registry hack that brings back the Windows 10 File Explorer and context menus.

Fortunately, there’s an easy way to get the old Windows 10 File Explorer back, complete with its ribbon and jump menus. You just need to edit the registry.

How to Restore the Windows 10 File Explorer to Windows 11

1. Open Regedit. You can do this in Windows 11 by hitting Windows + R and entering regedit in the Run box or you can search for regedit using the Search feature. Click Yes if asked for permission by User Account Control.

2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions

3. Create a registry key called Blocked if it doesn’t exist and navigate to it.

4. Right click in the right window pane and select New String->Value. A new entry appears with the name “New Value #” and a number.

5. Rename your value to . It must be spelled exactly this way.

6. Close Regedit and restart your PC.

Your computer should now show the classic Windows 10 File Explorer, though some of the icon designs may be a bit different. For example, the library folders in Windows 11 are in different colors, not just yellow. Overall, though, you’re getting back the user experience and functionality you lost.

If you want to go back to Windows 11’s File Explorer, just delete the string. For more tweaks, see our articles on how to replace the Windows 11 Start menu, how to move the taskbar in Windows 11 and how to make Windows 11 look and feel like Windows 10. Or, if you get sick of all of these tweaks, you can always reset Windows 11.

If I have to edit my registry to make my file explorer behave as normal we’re gonna have some problems.

If I have to edit my registry to make my file explorer behave as normal we’re gonna have some problems.

Fortunately in the near future someone will at first create a .reg file which will be distributed freely and can just be merged into our registries. Then next we’ll have this covered in the various tweaker utility programs that will be released the same day as the final Win 11. So its really no big deal (says the guy who uses the Restore Photo Viewer.reg file and a tweaker program).

And also, in the near future, someone else will create a .reg which will be freely distributed and can just be merged into our registries.
It will be labeled as the fix/enabler for Win 11.
It will do exactly what you said and hope.
It will ALSO include a whole lot of other things you really really do not want.

And if you think that won’t happen, I have a couple of bridges to sell you.

It is definitely not necessary to edit the registry .

When running Window 11, you can get the Windows 10 ribbon by simply unchecking a box in the “View” menu of “Folder Options”. Here’s what you do:

Open Windows File Explorer and select the “View” menu (File, Home, Share View, etc.). pick “View”;
Select “Options”;
Select “View” again from the three tabs available in “Folder Optinon” (i.e., from General, View and Search). Select “View”.
Scroll down the list of items and look for “Launch folder windows in a separate process”:
MAKE SURE THE BOX IS CHECKED, and then click on “Apply” and then click on “OK” and close Windows File Explorer.
Re-launch (or open) File Explorer again and voila’ you will have your old Windows 10 ribbon in Windows 11.
If you want to switch back to the abbreviated Windows 11 icons instead of the Windows 10 ribbon, just reverse the process and uncheck the “Launch folder windows in a separate process box” so that it is unchecked.

Easy peasy. No need to edit the registry.

BTW, this isn’t something I came up with. I saw it somewhere else two days ago, but now I cannot recall where I found it. Anyway, someone else deserves credit for finding this one. I’m just passing it along. Have fun.

The Windows 11 File Explorer has no ribbon and worse context menus. Fortunately, you can get the Windows 10 version back.

How to Get Windows 10’s File Explorer in Windows 11 : Read more

And yeah. the Windows Registry. wow, just wow. I guess some things never change. Do you need to install 3rd-party audio drivers too? I’m just glad I’m at a point now where I don’t ‘need’ Windows for anything other than PC gaming.

So, what do you use? Linux, where you need to search for some obscure console command or manually edit config files to accomplish similar things? Or other operating systems, where you might not even get the option to revert changes to the interface?

And in this case, as has been pointed out, there’s apparently an option right in the settings to revert to the old style, so no registry editing was even required. And of course, Windows 11 isn’t even releasing until later in the year, with the current, feature-incomplete pre-release only available for beta-testing, so it can’t be considered a finished product at this stage.

Honestly though, the Ribbon UI was a mess, and a waste of screen real-estate, full of clutter that most would rarely use, or that could be accessed just as easily through the right-click menu or keyboard shortcuts. I sometimes use the back, forward and up directory buttons, and those are still there. Though there’s a lot of unnecessary whitespace around the icons above the address bar, so I’d be more interested in getting rid of those entirely, and just having the address bar containing several buttons, and advanced functionality reserved for the right-click menu or a drop-down list. And of course, setting the right-click menu to default to the classic style, since the new one lacks a lot of functionality without having to click the “more options” entry first.

I turned off the auto fill option in Windows 10 by mistake. How do I return to that location?

Moved from ( Windows / Windows 10 / Desktop, Start, & personalization )

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Autofill (AutoComplete) lets you fill out selected forms using your preferred browser. If you want to enable Autofill function, we’d like to know the browser you are using so we can provide the best solution to you.

If you are using Microsoft Edge, follow the steps on this link to turn on Autofill.

If an Internet Explorer 11 user, check this article: Remember passwords and fill out web forms for Internet Explorer 11.

If you are referring to the File Explorer and not a browser, go to Internet Options, click the Advanced tab and tick the box beside Use inline AutoComplete in File Explorer and Run Dialog. Refer to the screenshot below:

Let us know if the above solutions work for you or if you need additional assistance.

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Как да изтриете конкретни пишещи пътища от полето за автоматично предлагане

Ако ръчно въведете пътеки в адресната лента на Windows Explorer, тя може да се запълни с предложения, които се използват само веднъж или два пъти. Ето един бърз регистър рязка рана да изтриете тези, които не използвате често.

Натиснете клавиша Windows и R, за да изведете стартиращата кутия и въведете regedit, след това натиснете Enter.

Когато редакторът на регистъра се отвори, отидете на следния път:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ TypedPaths

От дясната страна ще видите множество “url” низови стойности, които имат въведената пътека в колоната Data, можете просто да щракнете с десния бутон върху низа и да изберете delete, за да го спрете да се предлага автоматично.

Забележка: Ако изтриете общ път като например Компютър, той все още може да се показва в автоматичното предложение.

Как да деактивирате автоматичното предложение

Ако не искате да използвате функцията за автоматично предлагане, можете да я деактивирате със следния хак.

Натиснете клавиша Windows и R, за да изведете стартиращата кутия и въведете regedit, след това натиснете Enter.

Когато редакторът на регистъра се отвори, отидете на следния път:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer

Разширете ключа на Explorer, след това щракнете с десния бутон върху него и създайте нов ключ, наречен AutoComplete.

След като ключът е създаден и сте го наименували, от дясната страна ще трябва да създадете нова стойност, наречена AutoSuggest.

Отворете низа и в полето Data Value въведете no.