Vista Tutorial - Recent Items List

**Brink**

How to Turn the Recent Items List On or Off in Vista

Information

This is a list of recently opened files and programs displayed in the Start Menu and the Recently Changed shortcut in Favorite Links. Recent Items are not displayed in the 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

Tip

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.
If you would like to remove (disable) the Start menu Pin area to leave only Recent Programs listed, then see: How to Enable or Disable Pin to Start Menu in Vista

WARNING

When 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.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Start Menu and Favorite Links

Here's How:

NOTE

This method is for both the normal and classic Start menu.

1. Right click on the Start Button and click Properties.

2. To Turn Recent Files List On or Off-
A) Check or Uncheck the Store and display a list of recently opened files box. (See screenshot below step 5)
NOTE: This list is in the Recent Items button in the Start Menu and in Recently Changed for Favorite Links inside a Explorer window. (See screenshot at top) If this is not checked, the folder location (at top of tutorial) will only flash open and then close quickly.

B) Go to step 5.

3. To Turn Recent Programs List On or Off -
A) Check or Uncheck the Store and display a list of recently opened programs box. (See screenshot below step 5)
NOTE: This list is displayed in the left white area of the Start Menu. (See screenshot at top)

B) Go to step 5.

4. To Clear the Recent Files and Programs List -
NOTE: This will delete the lists and reset it clean.
A) For how, see: How to Clear the Recent Items List in Vista

5. Click Apply and then click OK.

That's it,
Shawn

**MilesAhead** · 11-18-2008

I haven't been using the Recently Opened Items but when I open them up I notice they are in alphabetical order instead of MRU. Seems to be limited functionality. If I use a file that starts with 'z' I'll probably never see it in there!! Is there a Registry Tweak to change it to MRU order?

**Brink** · 11-18-2008

Hi MilesAhead,

I'm not aware of any to change the MRU order, but you should be able to right click on the Recent Items button and click on Open to see all of them.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**MilesAhead** · 11-18-2008

Ok I see what you mean. Thanks.

**Brink** · 11-18-2008

You're welcome MilesAhead.