To clear recent files in Windows 10, open File Explorer, select the View tab, select Options, and on the General tab select Clear next to Clear File Explorer history. To stop the list from filling up again, clear the Show recently used files in Quick access check box and select OK.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support and Microsoft Learn on October 7, 2026.
What clearing recent files does and does not do
Windows 10 keeps track of the files you open and shows them in three places: the Recent files list in File Explorer’s Quick access view, the Jump Lists that appear when you right-click an app on the taskbar or in Start, and a folder of shortcuts called Recent Items.
Every entry in those lists is a shortcut that points to a file. Clearing the list removes the shortcuts only. Your documents, photos and downloads stay in the folders where you saved them.
There is no undo for the Clear button. The list cannot be brought back, but it rebuilds on its own as you open files, unless you turn the feature off.
Clear all recent files in File Explorer
This is the method to use when you want the whole list gone at once, for example before you share your screen or lend someone your PC.
- Open File Explorer from the taskbar or the Start menu, or press the Windows logo key + E. If you need other ways in, see how to open File Explorer in Windows 10.
- Select the View tab at the top of the window. A ribbon of view settings opens.
- Select Options on that ribbon. The Folder Options window opens.
- Stay on the General tab and find the Privacy section.
- Select Clear next to Clear File Explorer history. Windows clears the history right away.
- Select OK to close the window. The Recent files section in Quick access is now empty.
If you do not see a View tab, right-click Quick access in the left pane of File Explorer and select Options. It opens the same Folder Options window, and you can continue from step 4.
Stop Windows 10 from showing recent files
Clearing is a one-time cleanup. As soon as you open another file, it appears in the list again. To keep the list empty, turn the display off in the same window.
- In File Explorer, select View > Options.
- On the General tab, under Privacy, clear the Show recently used files in Quick access check box.
- If you also want Windows to stop adding folders you visit often, clear the Show frequently used folders in Quick access check box.
- Select OK.
Folders you pinned yourself stay in Quick access. To take one of those out, right-click it and select Unpin from Quick access.
To bring the lists back later, return to the same Privacy section, select both check boxes again and select OK. Files show up again as you open them.
Remove one file from the list
When only one or two entries bother you, there is no need to wipe everything.
- Open File Explorer and select Quick access in the left pane.
- Under Recent files, right-click the file you want to hide. To remove several at once, select them all first, then right-click one of them.
- Select Remove from Quick access. The entry disappears and the next most recent file takes its place.
Be careful to choose Remove from Quick access and not Delete. Delete acts on the real file, not just the list entry.
Clear recent items on the taskbar and in Start
A Jump List is the short menu that opens when you right-click an app on the taskbar. Many apps list their recently opened files there, so those names stay visible even after you clear File Explorer.
- Select Start > Settings > Personalization > Start.
- Find the switch whose label begins Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar.
- Turn the switch Off. Microsoft’s documentation notes that toggling this setting clears the Jump Lists.
- Right-click a taskbar app such as File Explorer to check that the recent section is gone.
Leave the switch off if you never want recent items there. If you only wanted a clean slate, turn it back on and the lists start again from empty. Microsoft describes Jump Lists in Customize the Taskbar in Windows.
Empty the Recent Items folder by hand
Windows stores the shortcuts behind these lists in a folder named Recent Items. Microsoft lists its default location as %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent. Deleting the shortcuts there is another way to clear the history, and it lets you see exactly what Windows has recorded.
- Open File Explorer and click the address bar at the top.
- Type %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent and press Enter. A folder full of shortcuts opens.
- Select all of the shortcuts in the folder and delete them.
Everything in this folder is a shortcut, so deleting its contents does not touch the original files. Do not use this path as a place to store anything of your own.
Which method should you use?
| Goal | Method |
|---|---|
| Wipe the list once | Clear button in Folder Options |
| Never show recent files in File Explorer | Clear the Show recently used files in Quick access check box |
| Hide one embarrassing or outdated entry | Remove from Quick access |
| Clear the right-click lists on taskbar apps | Jump Lists switch in Settings |
| Clear the list every time you sign out, on a managed PC | Group Policy (see below) |
Clear recent files automatically with Group Policy
On editions of Windows 10 that support Group Policy, such as Pro, Enterprise and Education, an administrator can use two policies found under User Configuration in the Start Menu and Taskbar folder:
- Clear history of recently opened documents on exit: Windows deletes the shortcuts to recently used files when the user signs out, and clears the recent and frequent items in Jump Lists. Items pinned to a Jump List are kept.
- Do not keep history of recently opened documents: the related policy that stops Windows from keeping the history in the first place.
Microsoft documents these settings in its Start menu policy reference. On a work or school computer, ask your IT department before changing policies.
Troubleshooting
The list fills up again right after clearing
That is expected. The Clear button empties the history but leaves tracking on. Clear the Show recently used files in Quick access check box to stop it.
The Jump Lists switch is greyed out
Your organization has probably applied a policy that hides recent Jump Lists. Microsoft’s policy documentation states that this policy also disables the matching switch in Settings. Only your administrator can change it.
Recent files still appear inside Word or Excel
Office apps keep their own list, separate from Windows. In the app, open the File tab, select Open, right-click a file and select Remove from list, or select Clear unpinned Documents and then Yes to empty the list. Microsoft covers this in Customize the list of recently used files in Office apps.
A removed file keeps coming back
Remove from Quick access hides that entry, but opening the file again counts as new activity. Turn off the recent files check box if you never want it listed.
You are using Windows 11
The Options button is in a different place and the Settings switch has a different name. Follow how to clear recent files in Windows 11 instead.
Frequently asked questions
Does clearing recent files delete the files?
No. The entries are pointers to your files. Clearing them removes the pointers and leaves the files where they are.
How many recent files does Windows 10 show?
The Recent files section in Quick access is headed “Recent files (20)” and shows up to 20 entries. When you remove one, an older file moves up to fill the gap.
Can I get the list back after selecting Clear?
No. The cleared history cannot be restored. If you are looking for a file you worked on, search for its name in File Explorer or check the folder where you normally save.
Does this clear my browser history or Windows activity history?
No. Browsers keep their own history, and Windows 10 has a separate activity history under Settings > Privacy > Activity history. Clearing File Explorer history affects neither.
Can I hide files instead of clearing the list?
Yes, but that is a different feature. A hidden file is still listed in Recent files after you open it. See how to hide and show hidden files and folders in Windows 10 if hiding is what you need.
Once the list is clear, decide whether you want it back: leave the Privacy check boxes selected for quick access to your latest work, or clear them for a File Explorer that shows only what you pin.
Related: How to check computer activity history on Windows 10.
Related: delete Word documents in Microsoft 365.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.