Windows 10: File Explorer isn't showing recent files

My new laptop has Windows10 pre-installed. It crashed and file explorer won't now show recent files. It seems to be showing recent folders but there are no recent files. Settings/personalisation/start shows "recently opened files" is turned "on" and File Explorer is showing on the Task Bar

:)

 

Show recent FILES in Explorer

I can't find my question on the main discussion page...

 

Show recent FILES in Explorer

I want the explorer to show recent FILES. It already shows frequent FOLDERS.

When I go to View-->Options-->General-->Privacy and check the box that says "Show recently used files in Quick access," and I close the Options window and then re-open it, the box is
unchecked. (Of course, I hit "apply" and then "okay.")

This is my problem: I check the box, but it will not stay checked.

When I choose "Restore Defaults," and both boxes then show check marks, I close the Options window and re-open it and only the "show folders" box is checked.
The "show files" box will not stay checked.

At no time do "Recent files" show up in the Quick Access window. Recent FOLDERS do show up, but I want to go to recent files (documents). I used this feature all the time in Win7.

Can anyone help with this?

I'm running Windows 10 on a Dell Precision M6700 Laptop, 8G RAM

 

Hi, there may be other consequences if your disk has been affected, or you may be very lucky and a small part of your registry has been corrupted.

A possible solution to your immediate problem is here:
File Explorer Recent Files and Frequent Folders groups are missing - Microsoft Community
- basically, create another user, and copy the relevant part of the registry back to your original user's registry.

I would also recommend you run
chkdsk C: /F
from an elevated command prompt
and also
SFC /scannow

just to check all is (probably) well.

===================================
Here's a very useful method which will help you avoid a great deal of difficulty- strongly recommended and used by most here:

Start using disk imaging. Regularly. Before any major change, and after a big change or a series of smaller changes. System Restore isn't enough.. it can help sometimes, but only if you turn it on (it's off by default.. absurd).

With disk images you
a. Can restore your disk/partition in a defined time (e.g 20 to 40 mins).
b. Have a full backup - can extract files.
c. Can use them to rebuild your system on a new HDD (e.g.)
d. Have peace of mind (most important!)

Get a copy of Macrium Reflect or Aomei Backupper (both have free options). The first is more geeky and a cut down version of a commercial product - no incremental backup. The 2nd is more straightforward, offering both differential and incremental backups. (You can read about those yourself if unsure).

Make sure you create the boot disk.. essential when dealing with an unbootable PC.
You need large enough external storage for the image files.