IE9 Search History missing?

In IE8, typing in the search bar generated a list of previous search queries starting with the same characters. In IE9, I don't get the same. According to the Privacy Statement,

AutoComplete collects and stores in the registry on your computer the data you type in ... the Address bar.

This is a very useful feature of IE8, making it possible to re-use complicated search strings like g site:gloucestershire.gov.uk - all I had to do was type g and this string would appear as the first result. Substitute keywords for the g, select a provider and watch the results stream in.

How do I make autocomplete in the Address Bar show previously-entered search strings as well as URLs and page titles?

Its in the IE9 settings.

1. Open IE9.
2. Click the Gear icon located on the right side of the window.
3. From the menu, click Internet Options.
4. Click the Content tab.
5. Under the Autocomplete section, click the Settings tab.
6. Under Autocomplete for, check the Address Bar checkbox.
7. Click OK.

Re the Auto complete feature in Internet Explorer 9.
See if this helps you -

* Open Internet Explorer 9, Go to Tools > Internet options

* In the Internet Options screen click the Content tab and click the Settings button in the AutoComplete section.

* On the AutoComplete Settings screen ensure that the Address bar option is checked along with any other areas you wish to use this for.

I'm going to bump this with a request, to find out whether it's just my IE9 that's not working properly or there's something more sinister at work. Here's a little test:

1. In Internet options, select all the AutoComplete options on the Content tab and in the Browsing section of the Advanced tab. Ensure that Search in the address bar is selected under Search settings on the General tab.
2. In IE9, press Ctrl-E to put focus in the One Box and prepend a ?
3. Type wobbledehook and press Enter. This should produce a results page using your default search provider. There probably aren't any, but a load of suggestions for similar search terms.
4. Press Ctrl-E again and type gringlefitch. Click twice on another search provider's icon to conduct a search with that provider. The outcome is the same as at (3).
5. The search provider you used at (4) is now active. Press Ctrl-E to conduct a search using that provider.
6. Start typing wobbledehook. Does AutoComplete now show you the search string you entered a moment ago at (3)? Or do you see a URL for a results page using the first search provider?

On my machine, if I do this in IE8, at (6) the search string shows up, I can select it and then click a search provider or press Enter to conduct a search using the currently-active one. In IE9, it doesn't show up. If I want to conduct that search with another provider, I have to type the whole search string again, because AutoComplete has forgotten it. AutoComplete is broken on my machine - does it work on yours?

No it doesn't work on mine either despite having all the recommended settings correct.

Here are some additional suggestions:

Go to Manage Add-ons in IE9. Go to Search Providers. Click on the search provider that you have chosen/ enabled. When you click it, you will see some info at the bottom of the Manage Add-on Box. There you will see the option to Turn On/Off Search Suggestions. Then, go to the url’s search box (or whatever it is called) in IE9. Enter a random word. At the bottom of the Dropdown Menu you will see a prompt which says "Turn On Search Suggestions” (if it is not already on). It will also say something about sending keystrokes to your search engine.

NOTE: When you start to type an address in the URL box, in the box that opens beneath, there is a section "History" and below that "Turn on or Turn off Safe Search" If you turn this ON it will offer up suggestions as you type.