Windows 7: Windows Explorer AutoComplete - Turn On or Off

   Information

AutoComplete (automatic text completion) or inline AutoComplete is a feature that automatically appends the suggested text to the words as you are typing them in the address bar of Windows Explorer and in the Run dialog box. It tries to guess and finish what it thinks you are typing for you automatically.

This will show you how to turn AutoComplete on or off in the address bar of Windows Explorer or Open drop down list in Run dialog in Windows 7 and Vista.

   Note

This will not affect auto complete in Internet Explorer.

OPTION ONE

To Turn Windows Explorer AutoComplete On or Off in Internet Options

1. Open the Control Panel (Icons view) and click on the Internet Options icon.

2. Go to step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do.

3. To Turn On Windows Explorer and Run AutoComplete
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click on the Advanced tab, then under the Browsing section, check the Use inline AutoComplete in Windows Explorer and Run Dialog box and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

B) Go to step 5.

4. To Turn Off Windows Explorer and Run AutoComplete

A) Click on the Advanced tab, then under the Browsing section, uncheck the Use inline AutoComplete in Windows Explorer and Run Dialog box and click on OK. (see screenshot below step 3A)

B) Go to step 5.

5. If open, close and reopen Windows Explorer or Run dialog to see the changes.

OPTION TWO

To Turn Windows Explorer AutoComplete On or Off using a REG File Download

1. To Turn On Windows Explorer and Run AutoComplete
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Turn_On_Windows_Explorer_Auto_Complete.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Turn Off Windows Explorer and Run AutoComplete

A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Turn_Off_Windows_Explorer_Auto_Complete.reg

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista), Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. If open, close and reopen Windows Explorer or Run to see the changes.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION THREE

To Manually Turn Windows Explorer AutoComplete On or Off in Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search boxand press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista).

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoComplete

4. In the right pane of AutoComplete, double click on Append Completion. (see screenshot above)

5. To Turn On Windows Explorer and Run AutoComplete
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Type in yes, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

B) Go to step 7.

6. To Turn Off Windows Explorer and Run AutoComplete

A) Type in no, and click on OK. (see screenshot above)

7. Close regedit.

8. If open, close and reopen Windows Explorer or Run to see the changes.