How to Enable or Disable Recent Programs in Windows 7

   Information
This will show you how to enable or disable the ability of specific or all users on the computer to turn on Recent Programs by turning user tracking on or off in Windows 7.

   Note
When Recent Programs is disabled, it will not prevent users from pinning programs to the Start Menu or Taskbar.


EXAMPLE: Recent Programs Enabled and Disable in Start Menu
NOTE: When disabled, you will notice the the Store and display recently opened programs in the Start Menu option is grayed out it Start Menu Properties.
Recent Programs - Enable or Disable-recent_programs_enabled.jpgRecent Programs - Enable or Disable-recent_programs_disabled.jpg




OPTION ONE

Using a REG File Download


1. To Disable Recent Programs for Only Current User
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_Recent_Programs.reg
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Enable Recent Programs for Only Current User
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_Recent_Programs.reg
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.



OPTION TWO

Through the Local Group Policy Editor


1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on the arrow to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, then click on Start Menu and Taskbar. (See screenshot below)
Recent Programs - Enable or Disable-group_policy.jpg
3. In the right pane, right click on Turn off user tracking and click on Edit. (See screenshot above)

4. To Enable Recent Programs
A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled. (See screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.

B) Go to step 6.
5. To Disable Recent Programs
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (See screenshot below step 6)
6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Recent Programs - Enable or Disable-gp_properties.jpg
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor. (See screenshot below step 2)
That's it,
Shawn







Related Tutorials