pctechguide.com

  • Home
  • Guides
  • Tutorials
  • Articles
  • Reviews
  • Glossary
  • Contact

Clean Recent Files from Windows

There are times when recent files found in Windows are rather handy. You can find them easily, and do not have to go hunting for them. However, there are also times when you will want to remove them so others cannot see them. This article will go over some strategies you can use to remove recent files from your Windows computer.

When you click on the Start menu, you will find recent documents. You will see a list of documents that have been recently opened. It can be convenient, but it can also be a security risk when keeping these around too long.

For example, someone may ask you to use your computer. If you let them, they can go to the recent section and see files that you have worked on in the past few days or weeks. Therefore, it is a good idea to know how to clean these off after some time.

One of the easiest things to do is to right click on the task bar near the Start Menu. You will want to click on Properties once that window opens.

Once inside Properties, click on Customize and then the Advance tab.Once inside there, you can click on Clear List under the Recent documents section. Click on OK and the files will be removed from that area. The files will still be on your hard drive, but the reference to them in the recent files will be removed.

It may be that you want to completely remove the option for recent files from your computer. In order to accomplish this, you will have to dig into the Windows Registry. To get into the Windows Registry, you can click on the Start button and type “regedit” in the blank Run window that appears. You will want to change the DWORD of the appropriate ekey. This can be found at : HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Common\General\RecentFiles

You need to be very careful when editing entries in the registry. It is a good idea to back up the registry and your system when making changes in there. A mistake could result in your computer not being accessible.

When you clear out the Recent files, it is a good idea to go ahead and clear out the temporary interne files and cache. This can be found in the options of your favorite browser.

The recent files can also be removed using popular third-party tools like cccleaner. Many of these are free tools that will clear the Recent files and your system cache.

The Recent files can be a handy feature in Windows. But, it is a good idea to keep it properly maintained. And, if you have to loan your computer to someone, it is a good idea to clear all this out before letting the on your PC.

 

Filed Under: Articles

Latest Articles

Chrome Remote Desktop Plugin

Imagine being able to access your PC from anywhere in the world as long as you have a device connected to the Internet. Remote access has been a real game changer for support personnel and the travelling workforce. We have been discussing some free options for remote PC support and we want to talk … [Read More...]

Get around Facebook Quick With These Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts help you get around much faster than using the mouse. The mouse is a useful gadget, but there is nothing like being able to cruise through an application without ever leaving the keyboard.  But did you know Facebook also has a list of keyboard shortcuts? Believe it or not, they … [Read More...]

Memory Upgrades

In recent times, as well as becoming much cheaper, RAM has also become more complicated. There are currently a proliferation of different varieties, shapes and voltages. The first step in planning an upgrade is therefore to determine what memory … [Read More...]

20 Cool Creative Commons Photographs About the Future of AI

AI technology is starting to have a huge impact on our lives. The market value for AI is estimated to have been worth $279.22 billion in 2024 and it … [Read More...]

13 Impressive Stats on the Future of AI

AI technology is starting to become much more important in our everyday lives. Many businesses are using it as well. While he has created a lot of … [Read More...]

Graphic Designers on Reddit Share their Views of AI

There are clearly a lot of positive things about AI. However, it is not a good thing for everyone. One of the things that many people are worried … [Read More...]

Redditors Talk About the Impact of AI on Freelance Writers

AI technology has had a huge impact on our lives. A 2023 survey by Pew Research found that 56% of people use AI at least once a day or once a week. … [Read More...]

11 Most Popular Books on Perl Programming

Perl is not the most popular programming language. It has only one million users, compared to 12 million that use Python. However, it has a lot of … [Read More...]

10 Exceptional Books on ChatGPT that Will Blow Your Mind

ChatGPT is a powerful new AI tool that is taking the world by storm. You are going to find a lot of amazing books that will teach you how to make the … [Read More...]

Guides

  • Computer Communications
  • Mobile Computing
  • PC Components
  • PC Data Storage
  • PC Input-Output
  • PC Multimedia
  • Processors (CPUs)

Recent Posts

Omaha – Sell My Property No Agent

Generally when selling a home one doesn't think of technology. The normal process is to research and find a real estate agent, hire them and have … [Read More...]

Synology America DiskStation 2-Bay Network Attached Storage

  Many companies and individuals are looking for an efficient way to share files on a network. They may lack the technical skills to implement … [Read More...]

PIM Technology

In 1998, the Photographic Industry Association - comprising most of the world's digital camera manufacturers - came up … [Read More...]

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2025 About | Privacy | Contact Information | Wrtie For Us | Disclaimer | Copyright License | Authors