ShowRecent 0 and ShowFrequent 0: clearing recent files from File Explorer
Short answer
UpdatedFile 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.
HKCUSoftware\
ShowRecentYour previous value0
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, and when it hurts
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
Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.
| Key and value | With the tweak | Switching it off |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\ | 0 | Your previous valueSaved before the change, or deleted if there was none.Windows default: 1. |
| HKCUSoftware\ | 0 | Your previous valueSaved before the change, or deleted if there was none.Windows default: 1. |
From the app's source (pack_extra.hpp), app 2.0.0, checked .
The same change by hand
You do not need the app for this one. These commands make the changes from the table above. Run them in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, and make a restore point first.
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 /freg 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 /freg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v "ShowRecent"How to undo it
In the app: Yes
Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.
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.
Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.
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.
In the app
- Switch
- Disable Recent Files in Quick Access
- Category
- Security
- Plan
- Free
- Undo
- Yes
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Written by
Frost LIVEFounder of Frozen Tweaks, based in Hamburg, Germany. Publishes settings guides for competitive games on his YouTube channel, Frost LIVE.
In the app
- Category
- Security
- Plan
- Free
- Undo
- Yes
Frozen Tweaks
Free for Windows 10 and 11
58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.
v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details
Or type frozentweaks.com on your PC.
The free Windows app for competitive games.
58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.
v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details
Frozen Tweaks runs on Windows. Send the link to your PC and download it there.
Or type frozentweaks.com on your PC.