Windows 7 - Recent Items?

Just upgraded to Windows 7, and the only thing I'm missing so far about Vista is the Recent Places tab in the start menu. Is there a comparable shortcut for Windows 7? Or can I create one?

Welcome!

No problem:

Start Menu - Customize



Also, if this is checked:

Recent Items - Turn On or Off



You can get a menu like this if you right-click on Explorer in the taskbar:

Jump Lists

Thank you so much for your prompt and thorough reply! However, now I'm having a new problem. Now when I click on "Recent Items" (as well as Documents, Downloads, and other menus) and I run the mouse over the files, it doesn't select them, and when I click on a file instead of opening that file it makes the start menu disappear. I am able to open files using my up/down arrows and enter key, but that kind of defeats the purpose of a shortcut imho. Can you help me?

So basically when you click on the shortcuts, nothing happens, but when you hit enter, it works?

I'd suggest a repair install.