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Running Windows 10 Pro (OS Build 19041.572). In File Explorer, there is an odd "Search" field that appears on the same level as the path (see image).

Search field in File Explorer

Can this be removed? This functionality is not required. If I need to search a folder, I'll do it in a different way (such as dir *.xml /s from a command prompt).

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    Something I discovered today is that you can drag the Search box and make it smaller by putting the mouse pointer in that gap between the Navigation and Search boxes.
    – Chris Moutray
    Commented Jul 9, 2021 at 8:18
  • * make it smaller * awesome! windows search is awful.
    – Echeban
    Commented Nov 11, 2023 at 15:33

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
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That box cannot be removed. It is built into Windows Explorer which is built into Windows. This is true for your version, the newer production version available and Windows Insider as well.

This request (and modifications of the Windows Explorer ribbon) have come up before. These are all fixed in place (I think to allow Explorer to work as a subsystem to other apps).

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    Thanks John. That's a disappointing design choice.
    – AlainD
    Commented Nov 16, 2020 at 10:24
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    This answer is outdated, and it is possible to remove the search box. See @jensrobot's answer below. The Hide Explorer Search Bar program is super lightweight and does exactly what it says.
    – proteome
    Commented Jun 27, 2023 at 21:12
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Since this is the top google result when searching for this i wanna add that this is now possible with a 3rd party open source tool called ExplorerPatcher.

After download and install, just right click taskbar -> Properties -> File Explorer and there should be a setting for Hide search bar completely

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Try to modify the following registry key to see if it was helpful.

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Value Name NoShellSearchButton

Value Type REG_DWORD

Enabled Value 1

Disabled Value 0

Please reboot your PC after modifying above key.

If it was not helpful, here is a similar thread discussed before, you could have a look:

File explorer search removal or disable

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    That did not remove the search bar and the linked thread did not help. According to this article, this only applies to earlier versions of Windows: getadmx.com/…
    – AlainD
    Commented Nov 16, 2020 at 10:20
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For now, only way seems to be: remove entire address panel. Then you can set title to show you full path, and it will be kind of like non-interactive address bar. You can do this via custom Windows Theme or via DLL-injecting programs like OldNewExplorer and others. You can also remove ribbon and control panel too, making not that bad, minimalistic style for Explorer like this:

enter image description here

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    Worth noting that using (great) DLL-injector tools like OldNewExplorer, risks getting you banned on videogame services.
    – Hicsy
    Commented May 25, 2023 at 23:04

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