Enable or Disable AutoSuggest in the Explorer Address Bar and the Run Dialog in Windows If you're managing multiple Windows systems or just prefer a clean, no-nonsense File Explorer experience, you may want to turn the Autosuggest feature on or off. In this video, we’ll outline how to enable or disable Autosuggest in Windows 10. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. How to Enable or Disable AutoSuggest You can configure the AutoSuggest feature using the Windows Registry and the Group Policy Editor. We'll discuss the basics of each method. These are manual changes to system settings, so check out our blog for the full step-by-step guide. Method 1: Use Windows Registry For users comfortable navigating the Windows Registry, this method gives you direct control over the Autosuggest setting. You’ll use the AutoComplete key and either modify or create a string value named Autosuggest. Set it to Yes to enable suggestions, or No to disable them. Method 2: Use the Group Policy Editor If you're on Windows Pro or Enterprise, the Group Policy Editor is a cleaner, safer option. Navigate to the File Explorer policies under User Configuration and locate the setting for recent search entries. Adjusting this policy lets you disable Autosuggest by setting it to Enabled, or restore it by choosing Not Configured or Disabled. Troubleshooting Common Issues with Autosuggest Disabling Autosuggest should be simple— but system behavior doesn't always align right away. Here's how to troubleshoot the most frequent problems. Autosuggest still appears after disabling it if suggestions keep showing up after you've disabled them, cached session data is likely the culprit. To resolve this: Open Task Manager, find File Explorer, and click Restart, or Reboot your computer to fully reload settings and clear session data. Registry key or value is missing When editing the registry, you might find that the Autosuggest value— or even the AutoComplete key— isn’t there. That's normal if the feature hasn’t been customized before. Manually create the missing key or string value exactly as outlined in the blog. Ensure names and paths are precise, as Windows won’t recognize typos. Group Policy setting isn’t applying You’ve updated Group Policy, but Autosuggest still works as before. In most cases, this is due to delayed policy application. Run gpupdate /force in an elevated Command Prompt to refresh policies immediately. Then restart your system to ensure the changes are fully enforced, especially on multi-user machines. Managing Autosuggest is a straightforward way to improve usability and reduce distractions in File Explorer, especially in shared or enterprise environments. Whether you're adjusting via Registry or Group Policy, knowing how to troubleshoot ensures your settings stick. For more information, check out our official blog post on how to enable or disable AutoSuggest in the Explorer Address bar and Run Dialog linked in the description below.