Recent Items List - Clear History

Information

This will show you how to clear the recently opened files and programs list in the normal and classic Start menu.

NOTE

The Recent Items folder is located at: NOTE: You will need to have Show hidden files and folders checked in Folder Options. For how, see: How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent Items You can also open this location by typing shell:recent and in the white line (Start Search) area of the Start Menu and pressing Enter.

WARNING

When you open the Recent Items folder location above and you have a yellow folder named Recent instead of the default Recent Items folder 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.

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• How to Pin a Folder Icon to the Start Menu in Vista
• How to Display Small or Large Icons in the Vista Start Menu
• How to Change the Number of Recent Programs to Display in the Vista Start Menu
• How to Turn the Recent Items List On or Off in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Clear Recent Document Items History on Exit

Recent_Items.jpgFavorite_Links.jpg

OPTION ONE:
Clear the Recent Files List

NOTE

You will need to have the Recent Files list turned on first. For how, see: How to Turn the Recent Items List On or Off in Vista If you would like to have this cleared automatically when you log off or shutdown Vista, then see: How to Enable or Disable Clear Recent Document Items History on Exit

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Right click on the Recent Items button. (See screenshot below)
3. Click Clear Recent Items List.
NOTE: If this is missing, then do the WARNING at the top of this tutorial.

Clear.jpg

OR

1. Right click on the Start menu button and click Properties.
2. Click on the Customize button to the right of the Start menu ticker.
NOTE: See screenshot in OPTION TWO below step 4.

3. Uncheck Store and display a list of recently opened files and click Apply.
NOTE: See screenshot in OPTION TWO below step 4.

4. Check Store and display a list of recently opened files and click Apply.

OPTION TWO:
Clear the Recent Programs List

NOTE

You will need to have the Recent Programs list turned on first. For how see: How to Turn the Recent Items List On or Off in Vista

1. Right click on the Start menu button and click Properties.
2. Click on the Customize button to the right of the Start menu ticker. (See screenshot below)
3. Uncheck Store and display a list of recently opened programs and click Apply.
4. Check Store and display a list of recently opened programs and click Apply.

Properties.jpg

OR

1. Right click on the recent program you want removed. (See example above)
2. Click on Remove from this list. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This will remove them one at a time.

Right_Click.jpg

NOTE

This will clear both the recent files and programs list.

1. Right click on the Start button and click Properties. (See screenshot below)

Classic_Properties.jpg

2. Click Customize. (See screenshot below)

Classic_Customize.jpg

3. Click the Clear button. (See screenshot below)
4. Click OK.

Classic_Clear_Recents.jpg