How to Disable Recent Files On Windows 10?

     Windows 10 offers you a user-friendly interface and decent security functions. One more feature added by Windows 10 is called “Recently Opened Files.’ This shows you the currently open files inside the File Explorer. However, this function creates a few privacy concerns especially when multiple users work on the same system. If you want to know how to disable the feature, read on.

Remove Current Files Manually

You can remove current files manually by following these instructions mentioned below:

1. Hold the Windows and R buttons simultaneously to launch the Run pop-up.
2. After that, input the following command into it and hit the Enter key: %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
3. You should select the OK button and hold the ‘Ctrl + A’ keys simultaneously to choose all the files.
4. Then hold the ‘Shift + Del’ buttons at the same time.
5. Once you see a prompt, select the Yes button.

Turning off via the Group Policy Editor

You should turn off via the group policy editor by following these instructions mentioned below:

1. Hold the Windows and R buttons to invoke the Run pop-up.
2. Thereafter, input the following command into it, then select the OK button: gpedit.msc
3. You should select the option of “User Configuration” and choose the “Administrative Templates” option.
4. Choose the option of “Start Menu and Taskbar,” reach the right panel, and pick the option of ‘Don’t keep the history of recently opened documents.’
5. Now, twice click on it and then mark the option of Enabled.
6. After that, select the Apply button.
7. Click on OK.

Turning off via the Control Panel

You can turn off the feature via the control panel by following these instructions mentioned below:

1. Hit the Windows icon to invoke the menu.
2. After that, click on the Settings option.
3. You should choose the “Personalization” option and then click on the ‘Personalization’ option from the left panel.
4. Then drag the slider of “Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on the Start or the Taskbar” to disable it.

Turning off via the Registry Editor

You can turn off Recent Files via the Registry Editor by following these instructions mentioned below:

1. Open the Run prompt.
2. Afterwards, input ‘regedit’ into it and select the OK button to launch the Registry Editor.
3. Hit the Yes button for the User Account Control pop-up.
4. Go to the following key in the screen of Registry Editor: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
5. In case the ‘Explorer’ doesn’t appear, then you should make it by right-clicking on the key of Policies.
6. Then select the New option and then choose Key.
7. Name it Explorer.
8. You should click on the Explorer button and reach the right panel, then right-click on it.
9. Afterwards, pick the ‘New’ and then DWORD (32-bit) Value options.
10. Give a name to this value as “NoRecentDocsHistory.“ 
11. Later, twice click on the Value Data section and set it to 1.

Reboot the system to save the freshly made settings.

Everleig is a Blog expert and has been working in the technology industry since 2003. As a technical expert, Everleig has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as cnext.uk.com

Source: Disable Recent Files