Windows 7 - What is the Previous Locations Box actually for?

I'm still getting used to Windows 7 (Professional, 64 bit). Navigating is a bit different.

When opening a folder, there is the usual folder and files in box. At top is the "Previous Locations" box. I'm still trying to figure out what it's purpose is as is doesn't take you to the directory structure so you can navigate. Everytime I click on it, the same 3 or four locations are there and it doesn't change. What is this box useful for in Windows 7?

If you screwed up a document, deleted it etc. or if you screwed up a program. You can go to previous location. If you saved the problem document etc. in system restore or back up and restore, it is suppose to replace it for you. Good luck Tell us how u make out.

I'm still trying to figure out why the same 4 files are always in there and it doesn't change.

Where do you see Previous Locations?

I get Previous versions under the Properties Tab.

Hi Mike,

This may help more on this. It's the same in Windows 7 as in Vista.

Previous Versions - Shadow Copy - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

I right click on a folder. I get a box with about 10 choices. One of the choices shows previous locations. I click on that and I get a list of where previous versions of the file are saved. If the file was never saved, the list is blank. If the file was saved previously, it shows on the list. If you want to restore your file with one of the previous versions, you click on it. I just checked one of my files that was saved via back up and restore and it shows about 6 choices. If your system is different, either your system is corrupt or I am not understanding you correctly.

If you just open a folder and see the choices, our OS behave differently.

I have attached a pic of what I see.

That's not the view I'm talking about. When opening any folder. Right at the top is the location box that has a drop down arrow. That arrow shows previous locations. For me, what's in there is 4 locations and it always those same ones no matter which folder/location I open. As I said, I just don't know what the box is even there for. Seems kind of useless.

One is for typed paths (also displays current path) the other is for searching. Both retain a history of what you typed and can be cleared in the registry. If its neither one of those then you should take a screenshot and post it.

Hi Mike,

Are you referring to the screenshot in METHOD TWO of the tutorials below?

Search in Windows 7

and

Recent Search Box Suggestions - Edit or Reset

That's the one. Doing a mouseover on that little down arrow and it says, "previous locations".

It just doesn't display previous locations like I would think it would.