Reset the most recently used apps when offline

Question

Reset the most recently used apps when offline

yaqwsx-0810 10

Hello,

I’m having a problem with the search function in the taskbar. I’d actually posted about this before. Now, however, the problem has taken a different turn. The list of recently used programmes in Windows Search is reset as soon as I log in to Windows with my user account and I don’t have an internet connection. But as soon as I have a connection (currently Wi-Fi), I can see the list of recently used apps. But as soon as I log in whilst offline, the list is reset.

I’m using a local account in Windows 11 and have the latest version of Windows 11 25H2 with all updates installed.

What could be causing this problem?

Many thanks.

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Answer 1

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Answer 2

Carl-L 23,105 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

The search recent list should be offline, so this is definitely not normal. Before we proceed further, can you please go to Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions and check if "Search history on this device" is still on?

I'm waiting for your reply.

yaqwsx-0810 10 Reputation points

2026-08-21T12:35:39.1333333+00:00

Yes it is still on.
Carl-L 23,105 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-22T12:21:52.6133333+00:00

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

Thanks for replying.

I'll see what I can do. I'll keep you updated.
Carl-L 23,105 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-25T12:47:53.76+00:00

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

Thanks for replying.

In this case, when you next boot when offline, please open the Command Prompt and type taskkill /f /im SearchHost.exe, then press Win + S to see if the recent list appears.

I'm waiting for your reply.
yaqwsx-0810 10 Reputation points

2026-08-26T06:00:47.21+00:00

Hi,

I do indeed see the apps instead of the list of suggestions. However, I get the impression that it’s an ‘offline list’. For example, if I then launch another programme in offline mode, it appears in the list. The next time I launch it in offline mode, the list is there in full. When I switch back to online mode, the list disappears. But if I then start up in offline mode again and run the taskkill command, this offline list reappears.

In other words, the list when connected to Wi-Fi is different from the offline list.

Is this information sufficient, or do you need more details, screenshots or a step-by-step guide?
Carl-L 23,105 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-26T13:41:28.3666667+00:00

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

Thanks for the information.

Let me see what I can find.
Carl-L 23,105 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-27T13:04:08.1233333+00:00

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

Thanks for replying.

Just want to check, can you please run the command again when the online list appears and let me know what it shows you?

I'm waiting for your reply.
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yaqwsx-0810 10 Reputation points

2026-08-28T07:03:30.07+00:00

When I'm online and use the command, the list doesn't change. If a program is in the list, it stays there.

I get the impression that there is an offline list and an online list that can run separately.

When I log in while in offline mode, I see the list of recently opened programs in offline mode. When I then go online (I’m logged in), the suggestion list reappears. If I restart a program, it’s included in the list and also appears when I log in online again. This is very confusing ;-)
Carl-L 23,105 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-29T10:05:53.5433333+00:00

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

Thanks for replying.

I'll see what I can do. I'll keep you updated.
Carl-L 23,105 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-01T10:29:37.7166667+00:00

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

That is indeed weird and I believe that this might need a direct look to understand the issue. However, there is one more thing I want to check, does this happen if you use a Microsoft Account to sign in to the profile?
Carl-L 23,105 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-02T10:04:19.5333333+00:00

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

Just checking in to make sure that you have received my reply. Please let me know if you have any updates.
yaqwsx-0810 10 Reputation points

2026-09-02T10:41:36.7033333+00:00

Hello, thank you very much for your feedback. Actually, I don’t necessarily want to sign in to the system with a Microsoft account. I’m glad I have a local user account. However, before the last reinstallation, I was signed in with a Microsoft account and the issue seemed to be present then too, although I didn’t look into it further at the time. At most, I could create a backup image and then try again.
Carl-L 23,105 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-03T10:27:49.8166667+00:00

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

Thanks for replying.

Disclaimer: Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides: How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community
Carl-L 23,105 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-04T10:21:47.5733333+00:00

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

Just checking in to make sure that you have received my reply. Please let me know if you have any updates.
Carl-L 23,105 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-09T09:59:39.9866667+00:00

Hello yaqwsx-0810,

It's been a while since I last heard from you. May I know if you still need assistance in this?

Any feedback is appreciated.