How not to show recent files in Windows 10
Windows 10 offers a variety of features that enhance the user experience, but sometimes, certain features can become intrusive or unnecessary. One such feature is the display of recent files. While it can be convenient to quickly access files you’ve recently worked on, there are situations where you might want to keep this information private or simply prefer a cleaner interface. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to disable the recent files feature in Windows 10.
Firstly, it’s important to note that the recent files feature is not a standalone setting. Instead, it is part of the “File Explorer” settings. To hide recent files, follow these steps:
1. Open the “File Explorer” by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or pressing the Windows key + E.
2. In the top-left corner of the File Explorer window, click on the “View” tab.
3. Look for the “Show/hide” section in the ribbon and click on the dropdown menu next to “Show recently used files in Quick Access.”
4. Uncheck the box that says “Show recently used files in Quick Access.”
By following these steps, you will have successfully hidden the recent files feature in Windows 10. However, if you want to remove the recent files section from the Quick Access area entirely, you can take the following additional steps:
1. Still in the “File Explorer” ribbon, click on the “Options” button, which is located in the bottom-right corner of the window.
2. In the “File Explorer Options” dialog box, click on the “General” tab.
3. Under the “Privacy” section, uncheck the box that says “Show recently used files in Quick Access.”
4. Click “OK” to save the changes.
It’s worth noting that these changes will only affect the current user’s File Explorer settings. If you want to disable the recent files feature for all users on your computer, you will need to modify the Windows Registry. However, this method is more advanced and carries a higher risk of causing system issues if not done correctly. Therefore, it is recommended to proceed with caution and only if you are comfortable with editing the registry.
To disable the recent files feature for all users, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Windows Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. In the right pane, find the DWORD (32-bit) value named “ShowRecentFiles.”
5. Double-click on the “ShowRecentFiles” value and set its value data to “0.”
6. Click “OK” and close the Registry Editor.
By following these steps, you will have disabled the recent files feature for all users on your Windows 10 computer. Remember to create a backup of your registry before making any changes, as incorrect modifications can lead to system instability.
