Clear Recent Files History in Windows 10

Clearing Your File Explorer Recent Files History in Windows

The File Explorer application in Windows maintains a record of recently accessed files and folders, conveniently displayed at the bottom of the window. While this feature can be useful, there are instances where you might prefer to remove this history. This article details the process for achieving this.

For users who prefer not to have Windows retain this access history, it’s possible to disable recent items and frequent places entirely. However, if you find the history beneficial, knowing how to periodically clear it allows for a fresh start. The Folder Options dialog is utilized for this purpose, and it also provides control over numerous other settings.

Accessing the Folder Options Dialog

To begin, open File Explorer and click on the "File" menu. From the dropdown menu, select the "Change folder and search options" command.

This action will launch the Folder Options dialog box, where you can manage various aspects of File Explorer’s behavior.

On the General tab within the Folder Options dialog, locate and click the "Clear" button. This will instantly erase your File Explorer history.

Notably, no confirmation prompt appears; the history is cleared immediately upon clicking the button. Once completed, click "OK" to return to the File Explorer interface.

Following this process, the recent items list in File Explorer will be empty.

It would undoubtedly enhance usability if File Explorer included a dedicated toolbar button for clearing history. Nevertheless, the option remains accessible for those who know its location, and the process is relatively quick.