clear recent list for programs

How do I clear all recent lists from a specific program in start menu? I don't want to disable the recent program/list feature globally, just want to in one click clear all recent lists from that specific program instead of manually one at a time.

The same problem is present in Windows Vista, I guess clearing them manually is the only option.

Antman said:

??? is file extension of desired app
Create a batch file ClearRecent???.cmd
(example below)

Assign a shortcut
Edit shortcut properties as desired
Pin/place shortcut to wherever

Assumes User Profiles are located on C:


c:
cd\
cd %USERPROFILE%\Recent\
del *.???.lnk
cd\
cd %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
del *.???.lnk
exit

This actually changes nothing, except force removal and more complicated, it will remove the shortcuts manually, he just said something faster then manual removal, like a click to clear them all.

alishanoon said:

This actually changes nothing, except force removal and more complicated, it will remove the shortcuts manually, he just said something faster then manual removal, like a click to clear them all.

Hmm...

So modify it.

Duh.

TheUnseen said:

How do I clear all recent lists from a specific program in start menu? I don't want to disable the recent program/list feature globally, just want to in one click clear all recent lists from that specific program instead of manually one at a time.

In the event that I misinterpreted the clearly worded request:

This will clear all links, with a single click. Note the lack of the file type variable ???

c:
cd\
cd %USERPROFILE%\Recent\
del *.lnk
cd\
cd %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
del *.lnk
exit

For individual items listed as "Recent" on the start menu or on jump lists, you can right click on them and select to remove from this list. It will remove the recent item but leave the source program on the main menu.

Otherwise you can go to the Task Bar properties and on the Start Menu tab, uncheck the "store and display..." boxes, click apply, then you can re-enable. This will globally clear things though.

Providing more efficient and detailed control over the taskbar and start menu recently-used lists, etc., is something they can hopefully add in the future.

Wherever the info for those things is stored, it's separate and distinct from the Recent Places and Recent Items folders like: %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

I believe the following folders are tied to the jumplists and start menu recent items, but have lost my pinned items as well when I've messed with them:

%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations

The OP asked how to clear items from the Start Menu/Recent for a specific application. The Start Menu Recent flyout already has a clear all command.

The prescribed batch file works perfectly on my machine for removing a single file type by extension.

I just conquered this issue in a different manor.
I wanted windows to quit displaying a recent list for a specific application.

The recent list for each application is stored in a database file located here:

%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations

I opened a file - to add it to the recent list that I wanted to eliminate.
Sorted the files in the above location by date modified.
Changed the permissions - so my user account was DENY'd Read access - BLAM no more recent list for that application.

I win \o/