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Recent Items List - Clear History

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Recent Items List - Clear History
How to Clear the Recent Items List in Vista
Published by Brink
03-30-2008

How to Clear the Recent Items List History in Vista
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.
RELATED LINKS:
EXAMPLE: Start Menu and Favorite Links
Recent_Items.jpgFavorite_Links.jpg


METHOD ONE:
From the Normal Start Menu
OPTION ONE:
Clear the Recent Files List
NOTE
 
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


METHOD TWO:
For the Classic Start Menu
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
That's it,
Shawn
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Applies to
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64 Bit & 32 Bit

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