4 Comments

Empty “My Recent Documents” Automatically on Log off

January 17, 2007 by in Random with 4 Comments

Did you know that Windows XP keeps shortcuts to the documents that you opened recently? It is certainly convenient, but could make it easy for other user users of the computer to spy on you. Here’s how to empty the “My Recent Documents” automatically when you log off your computer

  • Click Start > Run > Type in regedit
  • In the Registry editor navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_Current_User > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Policies > Explorer
  • Right click on the Right Pane > New > Dword Value & name it as ClearRecentDocsOnExit
  • Double Clcik on it and set the value to 1

Simplish, right? To revert the hack back either delete the Dword value or set the value to 0 (Thanks for the tip A.L.)


  • hax

    Alternative: use Tweak UI (Eplorerer -> Clear Document History on exit)

    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

  • http://www.uneasysilence.com Dan

    Brilliant! Thanks Hax!

  • SciBott

    Or you can right click the Startbar/Taskbar, click “Properties,” click the “Start Menu” tab, uncheck “Store and display a list of recently opened files.” It may be slightly different in XP I no longer use it, nor never memorized where and what things were labeled as, this is however exactly the way to do it in Vista.

  • Martin

    Wonderful, thank you for the tip.

Privacy Policy | About Us | Contact Us | Write for us