How to Clear File Explorer History in Windows 10

In this article, we will see how to delete information that File Explorer saves about the files and folders you have browsed and the locations you have typed into the address bar of the app.

File Explorer is the default file management app which is bundled with Windows starting with Windows 95. Besides file management operations, Explorer.exe also implements the shell - the Desktop, taskbar, desktop icons and also the Start menu are parts of the Explorer app. Note: In Windows 10, the Start menu is a special UWP app, which is integrated into the shell. Starting with Windows 8, File Explorer got the Ribbon user interface and the quick access toolbar.
When you browse the file system, File Explorer saves your frequently used locations. These include:

• Folders visible under Quick Access on the left (in the navigation pane).
• Folders visible under the File menu of File Explorer.
• Locations visible in the jump list.
• Locations visible in the address bar drop down.

There are two ways to clear File Explorer history - using a GUI and manually. Let's review them.

To clear File Explorer history in Windows 10, do the following.

1. Open This PC in File Explorer.
2. In the Ribbon user interface of Explorer, click File -> Change folder and search options.If you have disabled the Ribbon using a tool like Winaero Ribbon Disabler, press F10 -> click Tools menu - Folder Options.
3. On the general tab of the File Explorer Options window, click on the Clear button under Privacy.

You are done.

There is an alternative way to do the same

Clear File Explorer history in Windows 10 manually

1. Open the Registry Editor app.
2. Go to the following Registry key.

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

   See how to go to a Registry key with one click.

3. Here, delete the subkey named TypedPaths.
4. Now, open File Explorer to the folder %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\
5. Here, delete all files and folders you see.
6. Repeat the same under the following locations:

   %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations\
   %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations\

The first method will clear all history with one click. The second method will remove different parts of File Explorer history selectively.