22

In Windows XP I could disable recent files somewhere in the Start Menu configuration. But I have upgraded to Windows 10 and it seems they removed that.

In Folder Options there are these entries:

  • Show recently used files in Quick access
  • Show frequently used folders in Quick access

Unchecking these only hides recent files in Quick access, but they are still stored in

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

Then I tried enabling this policy in gpedit.msc

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Start Menu and Taskbar\Do not keep history of recent opened documents

But it didn't work neither.

Is there an easy way of preventing Windows 10 from storing links to recent files?

Improve this question

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
32

In order to disable the recent items it requires 2 actions.

  1. open Personalization in the Settings app.
  2. Click/tap on Start on the left side. Turn on or off to Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar for what you want.

enter image description here

Source

You can also set the following registry key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Just set the DWORD Start_TrackDocs value to the desired setting

0 = Turn off

1 = Turn on

If you cannot find the key, it means you have not in the past toggled the option, doing so will create the key for you.

Improve this answer
0
3
  1. Right-click desktop.
  2. Click on Personalize.
  3. Click on Start in the left pane.
  4. Turn off Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar.

enter image description here

Improve this answer
2

The two options above does NOT work. The links are still stored but just not shown, so in order to do it right, enable gpedit.msc and turn Off Recent Items Through Group Policy Editor.

https://www.howtogeek.com/236711/how-to-turn-off-recent-items-and-frequent-places-in-windows-10/

Improve this answer
1
  • There is probably some bug that prevents option located in "PC settings - Personalization - Start" from working, unless you toggle corresponding Group Policy setting. Toggling it on&off fixed the bug for me, and Personalisation option works again.
    – Leeroy
    Feb 16, 2021 at 15:50
1

If you're talking about the display in Window Explorer, when you look at a folder, then what you want is to disable all grouping in the folders view.

Go to the "View" tab, click on the "Group By" dropdown, and then select (none) as your option.

Windows 10 Folder View Settings

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .