As I open up to use Google or MSN to search for something, all the past topics
flash up and are listed!  I no longer need those items--so how do I eliminate
them so they don't show up again?

kahlua1...

Since the directions given by jaderose-ga may not work on
older versions of Internet Explorer, I thought I'd provide
you with some options.

This may vary depending on the browser you are using, but
chances are you're using Internet Explorer or a browser
based on IE. This may also work on other browsers, but,
if it doesn't work on your setup, just come back here
with a Clarification, and I'll find out what will work
for you.

Go to Google or any other search site you use. When you
left-click once or twice in the empty search box, a list
of previous searches appears, complete with scroll bar.

Now, you can highlight the very first entry with your 
cursor. If you want to delete only that entry, or any
other entry you highlight, just click on the Delete
key on your keyboard (not the backspace key, which you
might use to delete a letter or two in a word, but the
Delete key).

If you want to delete all the entries quickly, you can
just highlight the very first one, and then hold the 
Delete key down, instead of releasing it after it 
deletes one entry. This will rapidly scroll down
through the entire list, deleting as it goes.

If you want to be more selective, you can use the scroll
bar (easier to navigate) or move the cursor to the bottom
of the list to scroll to lower entries. Yet another way to
navigate the list is to leave the cursor in the search box
when the list appears. Then use the Down and Up scroll keys
on your keyboard to navigate through the list. Then just 
select the specific entries you want to remove, and tap on
the Delete key to remove them.


Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that  
the answer cannot be improved upon by way of a dialog  
established through the "Request for Clarification" process. 
 
A user's guide on this topic is on skermit-ga's site, here: 
http://www.christopherwu.net/google_answers/answer_guide.html#how_clarify 
 
sublime1-ga

It worked!  Thank you so much!

Hi Kahlua1-ga

To eliminate the list of past subjects that have been searched in Google or MSN:
1. Select Tools from the menu bar at the top of the screen in Internet Explorer- 

2. From the drop down menu choose Internet Options

3. From the 7 tabs at the top of that window Click on the Content Tab
and Select Auto Complete.

4. Next Click on the button that says Clear Forms in the section
marked "Clear AutoCompleteHistory".

5. Click OK to take you back out and when you restart your search
engine the previously selected searches should no longer be there.

Jayderose-ga

I am happy with jayderose-ga solution!  This is the one that worked beautifully!
Hope that is the "answerer" who gets paid!