"Recent Places" always empty

I have Windows 7 64-bit installed. I am frustrated that when using windows explorer, "recent places" is always empty--meaning that I have to always re-navigate through the entire file structure in order to find the folder I want. In spite of other problems I had when using Vista, this was one thing that always worked and that I found extremely helpful and efficient. Why does it not work in Windows 7, even though the tool is included in the options list? It's _always_ empty. I have tried looking through various fora for a fix for this, but without success. Help! There MUST be a way to make this work! Thanks much.
~ M

Welcome
It may be turned off
Recent Items - Turn On or Off

Yes, you are indeed correct. Are you using any maintenance software, such as ccleaner that would delte such entries?

If not try to repair with an SFC command
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

If that does not work
Try to remove Remove Recent Places and restore to default
Click Start, click Computer.
In the left pane, right click on Recent Places and click Remove.
Right click on Favorites, click Restore favorite links.
Close Windows Explorer and check the result.

If that does not work test with a new users account, yours may be corrupt