How to Delete Recent Files in Windows
Deleting recent files in Windows can be a crucial task for maintaining privacy and freeing up disk space. Whether you’ve accidentally opened sensitive documents or simply want to remove files that you no longer need, this guide will walk you through the process of deleting recent files in Windows.
1. Accessing the Recent Files List
To begin, you need to access the recent files list. There are a couple of ways to do this:
– Using the Start Menu: Click on the Start button located at the bottom left corner of your screen. In the search bar, type the name of the file or program you recently used. As you type, a list of recent files and programs will appear. Right-click on the file you want to delete and select “Delete.”
– Using File Explorer: Press “Windows + E” to open File Explorer. Navigate to the folder where the recent files are stored. Look for the “Quick Access” section on the left-hand side of the window. Click on “Show all folders” to expand the list and find the recent files you want to delete. Right-click on the file and select “Delete.”
2. Clearing the Recent Files List
If you want to delete all recent files at once, you can clear the recent files list from the system settings:
– Using the Settings app: Press “Windows + I” to open the Settings app. Go to “System” > “Storage.” Under the “Storage sense” section, click on “Change how we free up space automatically.” Scroll down to the “Temporary files” section and select “Clean now.” This will delete temporary files, including recent files, from your system.
– Using the Run dialog: Press “Windows + R” to open the Run dialog. Type “shell:AppsFolder” and press Enter. This will open the Apps & Features folder. Scroll down to “Microsoft.Windows.FileExplorer” and select it. Click on “Advanced options” and then “Reset.” This will reset File Explorer, clearing the recent files list.
3. Deleting Recent Files in Specific Programs
If you want to delete recent files in a specific program, such as Microsoft Edge or Word, follow these steps:
– Microsoft Edge: Open Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots in the upper right corner. Go to “History” and then “Clear browsing data.” Select “Time range” as “All time” and check the box for “Browsing history.” Click on “Clear now” to delete recent files.
– Microsoft Word: Open Microsoft Word and click on “File” in the upper left corner. Go to “Options” and then “Advanced.” Under the “General” section, uncheck the box for “Show recent files in the File menu and Quick Access Toolbar.” Click “OK” to save the changes.
By following these steps, you can easily delete recent files in Windows and maintain a clean and organized system.
