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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.

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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).File Explorer History Qa
  • Folders visible under the File menu of File Explorer.File Explorer History File Menu
  • Locations visible in the jump list.File Explorer History Jl
  • Locations visible in the address bar drop down.File Explorer History Ab

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.Clear File Explorer History Windows 10

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.Clear File Explorer Windows 10 Registry
  4. Now, open File Explorer to the folder %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\
  5. Here, delete all files and folders you see.Clear File Explorer Windows 10 Fs
  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.

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Author: Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

2 thoughts on “How to Clear File Explorer History in Windows 10”

  1. 4.Now, open File Explorer to the folder %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\

    I hit dead end on this step. I cannot get into windows explorer at all have to do everything from the command prompt. Where is this directory?

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