---
title: "ShowRecent 0 and ShowFrequent 0: clearing recent files from File Explorer"
description: "File Explorer's Home page lists the files you opened recently and the folders you use most. What it changes, when it hurts, and how to undo it."
url: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-recent-files-quick-access
author: Frost LIVE, Founder of Frozen Tweaks
published: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-08
category: "Security"
source: Frozen Tweaks (https://frozentweaks.com)
---

# ShowRecent 0 and ShowFrequent 0: clearing recent files from File Explorer

**Short answer:** File Explorer's Home page lists the files you opened recently and the folders you use most. ShowRecent and ShowFrequent set to 0 turn both lists off. In the registry it sets ShowRecent to 0 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer, and 1 more value.

## In the app

- Switch: Disable Recent Files in Quick Access (Security, Free, Standard)
- Undo: Yes. Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.
- Catalog row: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks#t-1161

## What it does

File Explorer's Home page lists the files you opened recently and the folders you use most. ShowRecent and ShowFrequent set to 0 turn both lists off.

In the app the switch is called "Disable Recent Files in Quick Access", described there as: Stops File Explorer from listing recently opened files and frequent folders.

## When it helps

- Privacy on a shared PC or while streaming your screen.

## When it hurts

- You lose the shortcut to files you just worked on.

## What it writes

Read from the app's source. "Switching it off" is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values:

| Key | Value | With the tweak | Switching it off |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer` | `ShowRecent` | `0` | Your previous value (saved before the change, or deleted if there was none). Windows default: 1 |
| `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer` | `ShowFrequent` | `0` | Your previous value (saved before the change, or deleted if there was none). Windows default: 1 |

Source: Tweaks/pack_extra.hpp in the app's source, app 2.0.0, checked 2026-10-08.

## The same change by hand

Run in a Command Prompt opened as administrator. Make a restore point first.

```bat
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v "ShowRecent" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v "ShowFrequent" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
```

Put it back:

```bat
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v "ShowRecent" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v "ShowFrequent" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
```

See what it is set to now:

```bat
reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v "ShowRecent"
```

## How to undo it

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. The app saved what each value was before the change and writes exactly that back, or removes the value if it did not exist.

## Verdict

A privacy and tidiness choice.

## Questions

### What does the "Disable Recent Files in Quick Access" tweak change in Windows?

In the registry it sets ShowRecent to 0 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer, and 1 more value. The full list is in the table on this page, read from the app's source.

### What is the default value of ShowRecent?

The Windows default of ShowRecent is 1. Frozen Tweaks sets it to 0, and switching the tweak off puts back the value you had before.

### Is "Disable Recent Files in Quick Access" safe to switch on?

A privacy and tidiness choice. The main cost: You lose the shortcut to files you just worked on.

### How do I undo it?

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.

### Is "Disable Recent Files in Quick Access" free in Frozen Tweaks?

Yes. It is one of the free tweaks, with no time limit.

## Related guides

- [Is PC Optimization Software Safe? What to Check Before Installing](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/is-pc-optimization-software-safe)
- [Windows 11 Gaming Optimization: What Still Works in 2026](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/windows-11-gaming-optimization)

## More tweak explainers

- [Find my device](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-find-my-device)
- [App diagnostics access](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/block-app-diagnostics-access)
- [Edge data collection](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-edge-data-collection)

---
Written by Frost LIVE, founder of Frozen Tweaks. Canonical version: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-recent-files-quick-access