This article explains how to turn inline AutoComplete on or off in the File Explorer address bar in Windows 11.
The File Explorer, alternatively referred to as Windows Explorer or Explorer, is a file and folder browser found in every version of Windows. It is used to browse your PC hard drives (internal or external), folders, and files.
File Explorer has an inline autocomplete feature that anticipates your typing and suggests a file or folder based on your File Explorer address bar history and recent search queries.
To complete a suggested query, type the Enter key or the right-arrow key on your keyboard without finishing typing in the address bar.
This feature is turned off by default, but you can turn it on anytime. The steps below show you how.
Turn on or off inline autocomplete in the File Explorer address bar
As mentioned, File Explorer has an inline autocomplete feature that anticipates your typing and suggests a file or folder based on your File Explorer address bar history and recent search queries.
Here’s how to turn it on and off.
First, open the Control Panel app.
Then go to Control Panel -> Network and Internet settings page. Click the Internet Options link on the setting page.
Select the Advanced tab on the pop-up Internet Properties window, then click the Use inline AutoComplete to enable it.
To turn it off, uncheck the box.
Close the Control Panel app when you are done.
Enable or disable inline AutoComplete in the File Explorer address bar via the Registry Editor
Another way to turn the inline AutoComplete on or off in the File Explorer address bar is to use the Windows Registry editor.
To do that, open the Windows Registry editor, and navigate to the folder key below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoComplete
If you don’t see the AutoComplete folder key, right-click on the Explorer parent key, then create the subkey (AutoComplete) folder.
Right-click the AutoComplete folder key’s right pane and select New -> String Value. Type a new item named Append Completion.
Double-click the new item you created (Append Completion) and update the Value data:
- To enable inline AutoComplete, delete yes.
- To disable inline AutoComplete, type no.
That should do it. Restart your computer for the changes to apply.
Examples of AutoComplete feature:
That should do it!
Conclusion:
- Turning on or off the inline AutoComplete feature in the File Explorer address bar can enhance your browsing experience and improve productivity.
- The two methods detailed in this article provide flexibility in enabling or disabling the AutoComplete feature, catering to individual preferences.
- Experimenting with this feature can help customize File Explorer to suit your workflow and navigation style better.
- Feel free to explore and modify these settings based on your specific requirements, and don’t hesitate to share your experience or questions using the comments section below.
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