How to Turn Auto Suggest On or Off in Run and Windows Explorer


   Information
As you start to type something (ex: path) in the address bar of Windows Explorer or "Open" line in Run dialog box, the Auto Suggest feature will automatically show you a drop down list of items below the address bar or Open bar that it thinks you are trying to type for you to select from instead of you having to type it out completely.

This will show you how to turn Auto Suggest on or off in the drop down list in the Run dialog and in the address bar drop down list of Windows Explorer (Vista and Windows 7) or File Explorer (Windows 8).

   Note
You will notice that the address bar's drop down menu in Windows Explorer will show you a list of your recent location paths that you opened when you manually typed the path into the address bar, or if you navigated to a location using the bread crumb arrows (black triangles) drop down menu inside the address bar itself inbetween each folder in the path.


EXAMPLE: Windows Explorer "Auto Suggest" On and OFF
Windows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off-autosuggest_on.jpg

Windows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off-autosuggest_off.jpg
EXAMPLE: Run "Auto Suggest" On and OFF
NOTE: If you uncheck the Store and display recently opened programs in the Start menu box in Start Menu properties, it will also cause the Run command dialog box to no longer save it's history of programs that you ran through the Run dialog box.
Windows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off-run_on.jpgWindows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off-run_off.jpg



OPTION ONE

Through Internet Options


1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Internet Options icon.
A) Go to step 3.
OR

2. Open Internet Explorer, click/tap on Tools (Menu bar), and click on Internet Options.

3. Click/tap on the Content tab, then click/tap on the Settings button under AutoComplete. (see screenshot below)
Windows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off-internet_options-1.jpg
4. To Turn On Run and Windows Explorer Auto Suggest
A) Check the Address bar box, then click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
Windows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off-.jpg
B) Go to step 6.
5. To Turn Off Run and Windows Explorer Auto Suggest
A) Uncheck the Address bar box, then click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
WARNING: Unchecking the Address bar box will also turn off Auto Complete in the address bar of Internet Explorer.
Windows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off-off.jpg
6. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 3)

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



OPTION TWO

Using a REG File Download


NOTE: This option will not affect auto complete in Internet Explorer.
1. To Turn On Run and Windows Explorer Auto Suggest
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Turn_On_Windows_Explorer_Auto_Suggest.reg
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Turn Off Run and Windows Explorer Auto Suggest
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Turn_Off_Windows_Explorer_Auto_Suggest.reg
3. Save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

5. Click/tap on Run, Yes (Windows 7/8) 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

Manually Through Registry Editor


NOTE: This option will not affect auto complete in Internet Explorer.
1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search boxand press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista).

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoComplete

Windows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off-autosuggest.jpg
4. In the right pane of AutoComplete, double click/tap on AutoSuggest. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If AutoSuggest is not there, then right click on a empty space in the right pane of AutoComplete, click on New and String Value, type in AutoSuggest, and press enter.

5. To Turn On Run and Windows Explorer Auto Suggest
A) Type in yes, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
Windows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off-modify.jpg
B) Go to step 7.
6. To Turn Off Run and Windows Explorer Auto Suggest
A) Type in no, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)
7. Close regedit.

8. If open, close and reopen Windows Explorer or Run to see the changes.
That's it,
Shawn




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