Windows 10: Files are appearing under Recent in Files Explorer that have not been opened for a while

Files that I have not opened or accessed in months or years are showing up under Recent in Files Explorer in Microsoft 365. About 45 docs and/or worksheets appear in the list.Under Properties, it confirms that the file has been accessed. I did confirm that no one else has been granted access to the files.There are numerous files that have been accessed over a period of 45 minutes from different file folders.I have changed my Microsoft password. It continues to grow with the number of files accessed.This is seriously concerning. I am taking everything off line to stop this from happening. That

:)

 

Recent File List

Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file1

Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file2
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file3
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file4
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file5
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file6
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file7
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file8
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file9
...

you get the idea. ( too lazy to put it in a for loop and test it.

or just open regedit and remove all the fileX from that key.

 

File Explorer and Recent Files


At work, I'll open files on a network path that is only accessible at work, e.g.

\\mywork.org\shares\file.xyz

These files will appear in my recent list when opening File Explorer (Win+E). The problem I have is at home where that network path is not accessible, and the File Explorer window will HANG for minutes trying to find the file. I can get around it by running CCleaner and cleaning recent files, but I was wondering if there was something else that could be done where I don't have to wipe out my recent list?

Thanks!

 

Recent File List

that's all off already dude lol, I'm really surprised there is no fix for the recent files list/MRU in the file menu of programs haha

I appreciate the help, MS really needs to implement a Group Policy or a string that can do that for all programs installed