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General discussion

Trying to delete autocomplete entries...

Jan 1, 2005 9:22AM PST

in the search for files and folder section.Yes,tried internet options in IE,and also firefox options,though probably not applicable.Does anyone know how to accomplish this simply task.I tried the help section in windows.OS WIN 2K
Thanks,
Tom

Discussion is locked

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simple
Jan 1, 2005 10:45AM PST

I think you can just highlight the entry in the list that appears and hit the delete key and get rid of it that way, at least, that's how I do it. - fj

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autocomplete
Jan 1, 2005 11:00AM PST

Hi Frank,
Tried the delete key,did'nt work.
Thanks,
Tom

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Tom
Jan 1, 2005 11:13AM PST

Not sure if it's the same but probably is, XP IE6. Go to tools/options/content tab. At the bottom of that page there is an "autocomplete button. click that, then click "clear forms" or "clear passwords", which ever you are trying to do. Then click OK, then go back to the "general" tab on internet options and "clear history", OK.

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Roddy tried internet options...
Jan 1, 2005 11:26AM PST

and cleared everything,but still to no avail.OS 2K PRO.
Thanks,
Tom

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Tom, This Should Help Too
Jan 1, 2005 11:30AM PST

If Roddy's information doesn't get it done, then most of the Autocomplete information is kept in the registry. Here is a link that should help you get rid of the "Search" information:

Clearing Windows Explorer/Autocomplete MRU Lists in the Registry
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q142/2/98.asp

The above information is for Windows 9.x/ME..In Windows XP and I believe Windows 2000, the normal Search/Files and Folders MRU listing lies in the registry at this path:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Search Assistant\ACMru\5603

One important note, DO NOT DELETE the "Default" entry. You should notice that each search item has a name, like 001, 002, etc. If the addresses you deleted destroyed the numerical order of those names, the Search will only show those numbers that are numerically sequential, starting with url1. In other words, if you deleted 005, then the Search window would only show you 001 through 4, even though you might have 006 through 20 still listed in the Registry. It is easily fixed though, by renaming all the remaining listings to be sequentially in order. (Right click the name, choose 'Rename" and name it to the next number in the sequence. In the example above, 006 would be renamed 005, 7 would be 6, etc.)They then will be listed correctly in the Search window.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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How we doing Grif
Jan 1, 2005 12:00PM PST

I tried HKCU\Software\microsoft\then search assistant was no where to be found.The link you provided does not apply to 2K PRO.The removal of autocomplete entries works everywhere,with the exception of files and folders,if thats the case,is there a problem in the search files and folder area.
Thanks,
Tom

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Tom, Sorry, I'm Not On A Win2000 Machine..Try This Path...
Jan 1, 2005 12:17PM PST

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Doc Find Spec MRU

HOpe this helps.

Grif

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Grif,could not find...
Jan 1, 2005 12:37PM PST

Doc find in reg.The first link you gave me with stream MRU in it yielded many entries,with ones to delete,but if I click on one there is no option to delete,only to rename.I found this http://sillydog.org/mshidden.html
Look under 3.2. I follow this,and yields none.
Thanks,
Tom

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Tom, Leave The StreamMRU's Alone...
Jan 2, 2005 3:29AM PST

...although it really wouldn't hurt anything, that's not what you're trying to remove. Likewise, the "TypedURL's" are those Autocomplete items that are listed in the Internet Explorer Address bar..That's not what you're looking for either. You're looking for items that you have typed in the "Search" line.

I've done some searching on the web and the two locations I have given you so far are what I find. I may have to wait till tomorrow when I can get access to a Windows 2000 computer.

In the meantime, I found another possibility on the net:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Explorer Bars\{C4EE31F3-4768-11D2-BE5C-00A0C9A83DA1}\FilesNamedMRU

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Tom, Yep, This Is The One
Jan 2, 2005 11:47PM PST

The path I posted immediately above should allow you to find the SearchMRU's for Windows 2000. Here's that path again:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Explorer Bars\{C4EE31F3-4768-11D2-BE5C-00A0C9A83DA1}\FilesNamedMRU

I finally made it to a Windows 2000 machine. LOL

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Hi Grif,autocomplete entries
Jan 3, 2005 5:01AM PST

I appreciate your perseverance.Does'nt it seem odd that I can delete autocomplete entries,with the exception of files and folder,this might be the common denominator of the problem.
Thanks,
Tom

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Tom, Did You Delete Them Using The Registry....
Jan 3, 2005 7:55AM PST

....path I suggested? It should allow you to remove them.

Grif

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Hi Grif,I deleted and renamed...
Jan 3, 2005 9:01AM PST

but first I exported each one,just in case.So I presume it's safe to delete the one's I saved and the remaining entries in the registry,I can tell their not important,I know,not the defalut.I probably have to do this every time I want to clear the autocomplete entries in files and folders.
Thanks,
Tom

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Grif,I forgot to mention...
Jan 3, 2005 10:48AM PST

You said in post in 10 leave the Stream MRU"s alone,and the registry path HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Explorer Bars\{C4EE31F3-4768-11D2-BE5C-00A0C9A83DA1}\FilesNamedMRU
note at the end it says Files Named MRU,am I missing something.Do you know what the letters stand for in MRU,could not find it in Webopedia.
Thanks,
Tom

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Tom, MRU= Most Recently Used
Jan 4, 2005 1:47AM PST

There are a number of areas in the registry where "Most Recently Used" listings are saved. It saves "Search MRU's" as we have been discussing..It also saves MRU's from the "Run" line, documents opened, the Internet Explorer "Address" bar, Office documents opened, downloads made...lots of others too.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Shift-Delete works in Win2k and WinXP with IE 6
Jan 3, 2005 12:36AM PST

try Shift-Del.

Select an entry in the drop-down (Ctrl-DownArrow or DownArrow & DownArrow to select the entry) then press Shift-Del.

Just pressing Del also works for me

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Hi Peter,Shift+Del
Jan 3, 2005 5:05AM PST

Tried Shift+Del,does not work.Seems strange that I can delete autocomplete entries everywhere but files and folders.
Thanks,
Tom

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Grif/Peter:Autocomplete
Jan 4, 2005 3:28AM PST

Peter,I understand what you are saying,I have OS 2K,but for some reason shift+del,del,or whatever I try won't work.I got rid of it via the registry,I know its all the way around the mulberry bush to accomplish this simply task.I do appreciate everyones time and effort,and Grif I know you put some into this.
Thanks,
Tom

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The history of "files and folder" searches
Jan 4, 2005 10:47PM PST
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(NT) (NT) Thanks Cursorcowboy,Tom
Jan 5, 2005 4:15AM PST