Windows 7: Problem with Recent Programs list.

Hello, yesterday I did a clean installation of Windows 7 Professional 64-bit that I received through MSDNAA. Everything has been working perfectly except for the recent programs list in the start menu.

The only programs that ever show up are the ones that are there to begin with, such as Internet Explorer, Calculator, Sticky Notes, etc.



In the start menu properties, the "Store and display recently opened programs in the Start Menu" box is checked, but the programs do not show up.

Has anybody else experienced this problem, or maybe have a solution to it?

Thanks for your time.

In The Privacy Bar Do You Have Both Things Checked.

Yes, both boxes under Privacy are checked.

Hello Jophess, and welcome to Seven Forums.

The tutorial below may be able to help with this. Be sure to also check what is in the red warning box as well.

Recent Programs Not Being Remembered - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

I just went through the tutorial and changing it both ways, with the download and manually, the value of StartMenuInit goes back to 4 after a restart or log out.

Jophess,

That's perfectly normal. Changing it to 3 causes Windows 7 to reset Recent Programs in the Start Menu. Afterwards it automatically changes back to 4. Did everything in the red warning box check out ok?

Yeah, everything seems like it should be working, but recently opened programs still don't appear on the list.

If toggling Recent Programs and Items off and on does not help, then you might create a new administrator account to see if it works ok in it instead.

Gee, I just checked and I don't have that registry key (startmenuinit). Is that key really supposed to be there by default in Win 7 at the location specified in the Vista tutorial linked above?

Hello Peter,

It should be there by default like below. If not, then you can do the download in STEP TWO at that link to restore it. Are you having any problems with Recent Programs?