How to Remove Recent Files in Windows 10 Quick Access
In Windows 10, the Quick Access feature provides users with quick access to their most recently used files, folders, and frequently visited locations. However, some users may find this feature intrusive or cluttered, especially if they prefer to keep their file system private or organized. If you’re looking to remove recent files from Quick Access in Windows 10, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out.
Step 1: Open File Explorer
To begin, open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
Step 2: Access Quick Access
Once File Explorer is open, you’ll see a sidebar on the left-hand side of the window. This sidebar includes the Quick Access section, which displays your recent files and frequently used folders.
Step 3: Clear Recent Files
To clear recent files from Quick Access, click on the “Clear” button next to the “Recent Files” heading. This will remove all recent files from the list.
Step 4: Remove Frequently Used Folders
If you also want to remove frequently used folders from Quick Access, click on the “Clear” button next to the “Frequently Used” heading. This will clear the list of frequently visited folders.
Step 5: Prevent Future Files from Appearing
To prevent future files from appearing in Quick Access, you can adjust the privacy settings. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy > General. Under the “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows” section, toggle off the switch for “Let Windows collect my activities from this PC to improve Windows and personalize my experience.”
Step 6: Customize Quick Access
If you still want to keep Quick Access but prefer a cleaner list, you can customize the items that appear in the Quick Access section. To do this, right-click on the item you want to remove and select “Remove from Quick Access.” Alternatively, you can drag and drop the item out of the Quick Access sidebar.
By following these steps, you can easily remove recent files from Windows 10 Quick Access and keep your file system organized and private. Remember that these changes will only affect your user account and will not impact other users on the same computer.
