How to Fix Internet Explorer Not Keeping History on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Internet Explorer is still used by some users on Windows 11 for specific tasks. However, a common issue many face is that Internet Explorer does not keep browsing history. This can be frustrating if you want to revisit websites you have previously accessed.

Fortunately, there are several simple and effective solutions to fix this problem. This guide will walk you through easy steps to ensure your browsing history is saved correctly.

We will start with basic checks and move towards more advanced methods. Each step is explained clearly, so even beginners can follow along without confusion.

By the end, you should be able to resolve the issue and make Internet Explorer keep your history as expected.

Quick Note: Preliminary Checks Before You Begin

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s important to perform a few quick checks. These will save you time and help identify the root cause faster.

Make sure Internet Explorer is not running in InPrivate mode. InPrivate browsing prevents history from being saved.
Check if your system date and time are correct. Incorrect settings can sometimes affect browser behavior.
Confirm that your user account has proper permissions. Limited permissions may stop history from being written to disk.
Ensure you are using the latest version of Internet Explorer available on Windows 11. Updates often fix bugs related to browser performance.

Step 1: Disable InPrivate Browsing Mode

Internet Explorer’s InPrivate mode is designed to prevent the browser from saving history, cookies, or temporary files. If you’re browsing in this mode, your history will not be recorded.

To check and disable InPrivate browsing:

Open Internet Explorer.
Look for a blue “InPrivate” label near the address bar. If it is there, you are currently in InPrivate mode.
Close the InPrivate window.
Open a new regular browsing window by clicking the Internet Explorer icon normally, not through the InPrivate shortcut.

This step is important because history is only saved in normal browsing sessions.

Step 2: Clear Browsing Data and Restart Internet Explorer

Sometimes corrupted temporary files or cache can cause issues with history storage. Clearing these can resolve the problem.

Here’s how to clear browsing data:

Open Internet Explorer.
Click on the gear icon (Tools) in the upper-right corner.
Select Internet options from the drop-down menu.
Under the General tab, find the Browsing history section.
Click Delete…
In the new window, check the boxes for Temporary Internet files and website files, Cookies and website data, and History.
Click Delete and wait for the process to complete.
Restart Internet Explorer to apply changes.

Clearing browsing data removes corrupted files that may interfere with history saving.

Step 3: Check Internet Explorer Settings for History Saving

Internet Explorer has specific settings that control how browsing history is saved and managed. It’s essential to verify these settings are configured correctly.

To check these settings:

Open Internet Explorer.
Click the gear icon and select Internet options.
Under the General tab, locate the Browsing history section.
Ensure the box labeled Delete browsing history on exit is unchecked. If this box is checked, Internet Explorer will erase history every time you close the browser.
Click Settings next to the Browsing history section.
In the Temporary Internet Files and History Settings window, make sure History is set to save for at least 20 days or more.
Click OK to save your settings.
Click Apply and then OK again in the Internet Options window.

Adjusting these settings ensures that Internet Explorer is configured to keep history rather than delete it automatically.

Step 4: Reset Internet Explorer Settings

If history still isn’t saving, resetting Internet Explorer to its default settings can fix misconfigurations or corrupted settings.

To reset Internet Explorer:

Open Internet Explorer.
Click the gear icon and select Internet options.
Go to the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset… button at the bottom.
In the popup, check Delete personal settings if you want a full reset (this deletes saved passwords, homepages, etc.).
Click Reset.
Once the process finishes, restart Internet Explorer.

Resetting helps restore original browser behavior by clearing problematic customizations.

Step 5: Modify Registry Settings (Advanced)

If history still doesn’t save after trying all the above steps, it might be due to registry settings preventing history storage.

Warning: Modifying the registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly. Always back up your registry before proceeding.

To check and modify registry settings:

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExt
Look for a value named History or similar.
If you find a value that disables history (for example, set to 1), double-click it and change the value to 0 or delete the entry.
Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.

This step removes any policy that might be disabling history saving in Internet Explorer.

Alternative Method: Use Group Policy Editor (For Windows Pro and Above)

If you have Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use the Group Policy Editor to check if history saving is disabled by policy.

To do this:

Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer > Privacy.
Find the setting Turn off browsing history.
Double-click it and set it to Not Configured or Disabled.
Apply changes and close the editor.
Restart your computer and check Internet Explorer again.

This method ensures that no group policy is blocking history storage.

FAQs

Why is Internet Explorer not saving my browsing history?

This can happen due to InPrivate mode, incorrect settings, corrupted cache, or group policies preventing history saving.

Does deleting browsing history automatically stop new history from being saved?

No. Deleting history clears past data but does not disable history saving. However, if “Delete browsing history on exit” is enabled, history will be removed every time you close the browser.

Can third-party security software affect Internet Explorer’s history?

Yes. Some security or cleaning tools may clear browsing history automatically or block history saving.

Is Internet Explorer still supported on Windows 11?

Internet Explorer is largely deprecated, and Microsoft encourages using Microsoft Edge. However, IE mode is available in Edge for legacy compatibility.

How can I backup my Internet Explorer history?

Internet Explorer stores history files in your user profile. You can copy the history folder or use third-party tools to backup browsing data.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above solutions fix the problem, consider these final options:

Switch to Microsoft Edge: Edge includes an IE mode for legacy sites and offers modern browsing features.
Run System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow to fix system file corruption.
Check for Windows Updates: Installing the latest updates can resolve underlying system issues.
Consult Microsoft Support: Visit the official Internet Explorer support page for further help.

Conclusion

Internet Explorer not saving browsing history on Windows 11 can be caused by a variety of simple settings or deeper system issues. Starting with basic checks like disabling InPrivate mode and verifying browser settings often resolves the problem quickly.

Clearing browsing data, resetting Internet Explorer, and checking system policies are effective next steps if the issue persists. Advanced users can also modify registry or group policy settings to restore proper history saving behavior.

Remember, Internet Explorer support is limited on Windows 11, so consider using Microsoft Edge with IE mode for a more reliable browsing experience.

By following the detailed steps in this guide, you should be able to fix the problem and have your browsing history saved correctly once again.