Clear Run Dialog History - Windows XP

Clearing Recent Items from the Windows Run Box

Have you ever desired a straightforward method for removing previously entered items from the Run box in Windows? This feature is frequently beneficial, yet maintaining privacy may necessitate occasional list clearing. While numerous cleaning applications are available, a manual process exists.

Removing Entries via Regedit

Clear Recent Run Dialog Entries Through Regedit Access the Registry Editor, regedit.exe, through the Start menu’s Run dialog. Then, navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU

On the right pane, you will find a list of your recent commands. Individual keys representing these commands can be deleted.

A system logoff and subsequent login are required for the changes to take effect, ensuring a refreshed list. This method is also applicable to the Run dialog in Windows Vista, though many users now prefer the search functionality.

A Simpler Method for Complete Clearing

Completely Clear Recent Run Dialog Entries The Easier Way A reader, Ayush, highlighted a more convenient solution than directly modifying the registry. Begin by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting "Properties".

From the Properties window, choose "Start Menu". Select the "Classic Start menu" option and then click the "Customize" button.

It’s important to note that you can cancel out of the subsequent dialogs to preserve your existing Windows XP menu style.

Within the Customize window, click the "Clear" button to remove all recent documents and applications from the Start menu. After completing this step, click "Cancel" twice to avoid switching to the Classic Start menu.

This method provides a comprehensive clearing of recent items. However, if you only need to remove a single entry, the registry editing method remains the more precise approach.