Windows 10: Method to save and view complete file history in File Explorer?

Hi all,

I want to be able to view the files that I've accessed in File Explorer so that I can review (and preferably search through) them at any time. Essentially what I want is the "Recent items" menu that comes up on the File Explorer homepage, but the version that doesn't just stop with the last 20 items I've accessed. (It would be even more ideal if the list of files would include those that I've created/modified/saved from other programs, but I'm not sure that File Explorer itself would be able to keep track of files that I didn't actually open through FileExplorer).

Is there any way to do this? I have searched through old posts, but haven't found anything.

Thanks for your help!

:)

 

How to delete backup files from File History in Windows 10

These are inappropriate answers.

In point 1., the question initially raised is how to "remove all backup files from file history and start afresh" (I stress "start afresh"), which is very different from the "reduce the file retention period" of the answer.

In point 2., the method proposed for the "complete removal" does not work, because it does not completely erase the File History configuration, which reemerges like Phoenix reborn when we attempt to get a brand new File History backup. I read somewhere that
the above-mentioned configuration is saved in C:\Users\user x\AppData, but I have not been able to find it, let alone delete it.

 

How do I get my "View by date" drop down back as it is gone?

In the Run dialog, type:

notepad %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\History\desktop.ini

It asks if you want to create a new file... click Yes.

Add those 5 lines to the file and save it.

Close Notepad.

Here is a post on this.

Internet Explorer History Bar "View By" Options Missing

 

Nirsoft has a couple of freeware tools that might help get some of what you want RecentFilesView and OpenSaveFilesView