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Possible Duplicate:
Clear cache/history in Windows 7?

How do I remove the list of recent files in Windows 7?

Are those files stored anywhere else?

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2 Answers 2

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Recent Items listed in the start menu are stored in:
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

To delete, you can either right-click on Recent Items from the start menu and select Clear recent items list or you can empty the folder from inside Windows Explorer.


Recent items listed in jump lists are stored in:
%appdata%\microsoft\windows\recent\automaticdestinations

To delete, empty the folder from inside Windows Explorer, or from the command prompt using
del %appdata%\microsoft\windows\recent\automaticdestinations\*

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    Though be aware that deleting those files also has the less desirable effect of also clearing your pinned items in your jump lists. Would be nice to be able to clear the recent items without clearing the pinned ones.
    – andynormancx
    Aug 4, 2010 at 23:43
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    Just to note browsing to the %appdata%\microsoft\windows\recent\ folder in Explorer will not show you the automaticdestinations folder as it is a hidden system folder. If you want the specific jumplists folder then it is at location C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations
    – Mokubai ♦
    Sep 10, 2011 at 18:51
  • The files in %appdata%\microsoft\windows\recent\automaticdestinations are binary have coded names so how do I see which file they are a shortcut to?
    – Donald Duck
    May 31, 2016 at 15:08
  • @DonaldDuck find your target automaticdestinations file by sorting the folder by modified date, then 'Pin' an entry in the target jumplist to modify it - the target file will jump to the top
    – patricktokeeffe
    Oct 17, 2019 at 18:56
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How do i remove all recent files in windows-7?

Ccleaner, a system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool, will clear "all recent files" (and much more).

Ccleaner is freeware, i recommend Ccleaner Slim (without browser toolbar).

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  • It never hurts to run CCleaner, so if it suits his needs and clean up even more mess, the more the better!
    – Ivo Flipse
    Jan 15, 2010 at 6:28