Windows 10: Reset and Clear Recent Items and Frequent Places in Windows 10

How to: Reset and Clear Recent Items and Frequent Places in Windows 10

How to Reset and Clear Recent Items and Frequent Places in Windows 10


Recent items is a list of the files that you have used or opened recently. These items are displayed as "Recent files" in Quick access, and under "Recent" in jump lists on the Start menu and taskbar.

Frequent places is a list of folders, websites, etc... that you have opened recently. These items are displayed as "Frequent folders" in Quick access, "Frequent places" under File in File Explorer, and under "Frequent" in jump lists on the Start menu and taskbar.

When you reset and clear recent items and frequent places, it will clear all non default items including any locations you pinned to quick access.

Your recent items and frequent places are stored in the folder locations below. These are the locations that get cleared when you reset.

• %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent Items
• %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations
• %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations

This tutorial will show you how to completely reset and clear all recent items and frequent places in File Explorer, Quick access, jump lists, Start menu, and taskbar for your account in Windows 10.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: Reset and Clear "Recent Items" and "Frequent Places" using a BAT file
• Option Two: Reset and Clear "Recent Items" and "Frequent Places" in Settings app
• Option Three: Reset and Clear "Recent Items" and "Frequent Places" in File Explorer Options

EXAMPLE: Where you will see Recent Items and Frequent Places

(Jump Lists in Start menu)




(Jump Lists on taskbar)






(Quick access)




(File menu in File Explorer)








OPTION ONE [/i] Reset and Clear "Recent Items" and "Frequent Places" using a BAT file
1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below.
Reset_and_Clear_Recent_Items.bat

Download
2. Save the .bat file to your desktop.

3. Unblock the .bat file.

4. Double click/tap on the .bat file to run it.

5. You will now notice a command prompt quickly open and close, and then your desktop quickly flash as explorer is restarted.





OPTION TWO [/i] Reset and Clear "Recent Items" and "Frequent Places" in Settings app
1. Toggle to turn off and on recent items and frequent places.

For how, see: How to Turn On or Off 'Recent Items' and 'Frequent Places' in Windows 10









OPTION THREE [/i] Reset and Clear "Recent Items" and "Frequent Places" in File Explorer Options

*note Clearing File Explorer history deletes the info Windows saved about the files and folders you use as well as what you've typed in the address bar.

If you clear your history, the pinned until you open a folder.
1. For how, see: How to Clear File Explorer History in Windows 10





That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Turn On or Off 'Recent Items' and 'Frequent Places' in Windows 10
• How to Hide a Specific File or Folder from Quick access in Windows 10
• How to Clear File Explorer and Run Dialog Box History in Windows 10
• How to Create a Recent Folders Shortcut in Windows 10
• How to Create a Recent Items Shortcut in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Pin and Unpin Items on Jump Lists in Windows 10
• How to Change Maximum Number of Items in Jump Lists in Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove Recent files from Quick access in Windows 10
• How to Rearrange Pinned Items On Jump Lists in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Showing Remote Locations in Jump Lists in Windows
• How to Turn On or Off Show Frequent Top Sites in Microsoft Edge in Windows 10

:)

 

I cannot pin any folders on the taskbar, but I can pin excel and word documents

I believe you already know the following, but just to clarify...

- You can pin folder shortcuts to the Jump List on the 'File Explorer' Icon by dragging and dropping a folder shortcut

from the desktop to the icon.

However (your problem ? ) if you get too many Recent items, the jump list gets maxed out, and you cannot

pin new shortcuts to folders as a result.

- You can change the number of items the Jump List can hold...

Change Maximum Number of Items in Jump Lists in Windows 10

- If you need to clear out Recent or Frequent to make space for more shortcuts this should help

(disabling and re-enabling should clear the list) ...

Turn On or Off Recent Items and Frequent Places in Windows 10

.

 

How to find most recently viewed or accessed files or documents in windows 10

In File Explorer, click on Quick Access in the left pane. This should show recent folders. If you right click on Quick Access and select >Options, under Privacy are settings to show recent files.

And see
this article for your jump lists.

Turn On or Off Recent Items and Frequent Places in Windows 10

 

You're most welcome altros, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

 

It also fixed my W10 search feature which has never worked before so thx for that too. My hate of W10 has reduced substantialy!

 

Be sure to post about any other issues you may be having with Windows 10 in the forum. Hopefully, we be able to help. *Smile