Recent Items List - Clear

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    Recent Items List - Clear

    Recent Items List - Clear

    How to Clear Recent Items List in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Clear Recent Items List in Windows 7

       Information
    Recent Items is a list of your recently opened files.

    This will show you how to clear recent items list to be empty afterwards in the Windows 7 Start Menu.

       Note
    The hidden system folder Recent Items is located at:

    C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent Items

    If you go to the Recent Items folder location above and you have a yellow folder named Recent instead of one named Recent Items with a icon, then right click on the Recent folder and click Delete. Type shell:recent in the white line (Start Search) area of the Start Menu and press Enter. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer, to rebuild the folder back to the default Recent Items. Recent Items will not function correctly if is not set as the default Recent Items folder.

    If this did not fix the Recent Items folder, then see the post at this link to make sure that the registry locations at the link have the correct locations entered for them.

    EXAMPLE: Recent Items Cleared in Start Menu
    Recent Items List - Clear-empty.jpg





    OPTION ONE

    To Clear Recent Items List Automatically on Exit


    NOTE: This option will also clear the Recent items in Jump Lists as well, and not just in the Start Menu.





    OPTION TWO

    To Clear Recent Items from Start Menu


    1. Open the Start Menu.

    2. Right click on the Recent Items button, and click on Clear recent items list. (see screenshot below)
    Recent Items List - Clear-start_menu.jpg





    OPTION THREE

    To Clear Recent Items using Start Menu Properties


    NOTE: This option will also clear the Recent items in Jump Lists as well, and not just in the Start Menu.
    1. Right click on the Start button, and click on Properties.

    2. Uncheck the Store and display recently opened items in the Start menu and the taskbar box, and click on Apply. (see screenshot below step 4)
    NOTE: Turning off recent items will clear it.

    3. If you would like to turn recent items back on, then check the Store and display recently opened items in the Start menu and the taskbar box. (see screenshot below step 4)

    4. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    Recent Items List - Clear-properties.jpg





    OPTION FOUR

    To Clear Recent Items using Windows Explorer


    1. Open Windows Explorer, and do either step 2, 3, or 4 below.

    2. Navigate to the hidden system folder Windows folder below, right click on Recent Items, and click on Clear recent items list. (see screenshot below)
    C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows

    Recent Items List - Clear-explorer-1.jpg
    OR

    2. Navigate to the hidden system folder Recent Items folder below, right click on a empty space in the Recent Items folder, and click on Clear recent items list. (see screenshot below)
    C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent Items


    Recent Items List - Clear-explorer-2.jpg
    3. Navigate to the hidden system folder Recent Items folder below, and delete any file in the Recent Items folder that you want cleared from the recent items list. (see screenshot below step 2)
    WARNING: DO NOT DELETE the Recent Items folder itself.
    C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent Items





    OPTION FIVE

    To Reset and Clear "Recent Items" using a REG File


    1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Reset_and_Clear_Recent_Items.reg


    Download

    2. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

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

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

    5. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
    That's it,
    Shawn








  1. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #1

    Tutorial updated to add OPTION FIVE to be able to do this with a REG file. :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Pro x64
       #2

    Is there an answer anywhere to get 'recent items' to list documents in the order they are opened rather than the useless list that is alphabetical? Have searched and searched and it appears to be an old problem that has suddenly started on my Windows 7 Pro 64 bit PC! As a work around (why do I hate that - because we shouldn't have to that's why) I've put a shortcut into the start menu but the recent items folder lists everything not just documents and is just not so convenient.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
       #3

    Hello.. I have a problem now. Delete recent item option didn't appear. Can you help with this?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Recent Items List - Clear-untitled.jpg  
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hello Azwan, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    Double check to see if the blue NOTE box at the top of the tutorial may apply to you for this, and see if you see the same as below.
    Recent Items List - Clear-recent.jpg
    In the mean time, you should be able to use any of the other options in the tutorial to clear Recent Items as well. :)

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
       #5

    Brink, after delete Recent folder, then I type shell:recent on search box (Start Menu). After that I restarted my laptop. Nothing happen. No Recent Items folder there.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    .....then see the post at this link to make sure that the registry locations at the link have the correct locations entered for them.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
       #7

    I followed the steps. Then the problem won't go away. Should I delete the Recent folder then follow the steps regarding the link that you mention?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Recent Items List - Clear-recent01.jpg   Recent Items List - Clear-recent02.jpg  
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
       #8

    Dear Brink, it's working!!!. I don't know what happen. The Recent Items appear suddenly. LOL. Thank a lot Brink!! Now I can sleep ..
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Recent Items List - Clear-recent03.jpg  
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    That's great news Azwan. Have a good nights sleep. :)
      My Computer


 
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