How to Delete "Recent Documents" from List in Windows 7 WordPad

   Information
This will show you how to either delete all or specific Recent documents from the file button -> New, Open, and Save drop down menus in Windows 7 WordPad for your user account.

   Note
This can be handy if a recent file in the "Recent documents" list is no longer available but still listed, or if you just wanted to clear the recent file history in your user account's WordPad from any prying eyes.


EXAMPLE: "Recent documents" in Windows 7 WordPad
WordPad - Delete Recent Documents from List in Windows 7-example.jpg



OPTION ONE

To Delete Specific "Recent documents" in WordPad


1. In the Start Menu, type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.
NOTE: Standard users will not be prompted for this.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Wordpad\Recent File List
WordPad - Delete Recent Documents from List in Windows 7-reg-1.jpg
4. In the right pane of Recent File List, look for a listed File# string value that has the recent document path that you wanted to delete. When found, right click on the File# (ex: File1), and click on Delete. (see screenshot above)

5. Click on Yes to appove deleting it. (see screenshot below)
WordPad - Delete Recent Documents from List in Windows 7-reg-2.jpg
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 if you would like to delete any other "Recent documents" from the list in WordPad.

7. When finished, close regedit.

8. If WordPad is open, then close and reopen it to apply.




OPTION TWO

To Reset and Clear All "Recent documents" in WordPad with a REG File


1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Reset_and_Clear_WordPad_Recent_Documents_List.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. If WordPad is open, then close and reopen it to apply.

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




OPTION THREE

To Reset and Clear All "Recent documents" in WordPad with a VBS File


1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Reset_and_Clear_WordPad_Recent_Documents_List.vbs


Download

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

3. Double click on the downloaded .vbs file to run it.

4. If prompted, click on Run.
NOTE: If you like, unblock the .vbs file to no longer get the Run prompt.

5. If WordPad is open, then close and reopen it to apply.

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





Related Tutorials