Registry Guide for Windows

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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

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Home > Security > Start Menu and Taskbar > Documents and Folders

(All Windows) Popular
Normally when you open or access a document or file it is added to the list of recent documents on the Start Menu. This tweak will stop files from being added to the list.

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
Download a free trial now!

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value called 'NoRecentDocsHistory' set the value to equal '1' to enable the restriction.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart for the changes to take effect.


(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
NoRecentDocsHistory	REG_DWORD	0x00000001 (1)


	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\...

Registry Settings

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer]
System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer]
Value Name: NoRecentDocsHistory
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = disable restriction, 1 = enable restriction)

Related Tweaks

Remove Recent Documents from the Start Menu (All Windows)
Change the Number of Recent Documents Displayed (Windows 2000/Me/XP)
Clear Recent Documents When Windows Exits (All Windows)

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: April 3, 2002