How to Disable Recent Files in Windows 11

Introduction

Recent files in Windows 11 are a convenient feature that displays a list of recently opened files and folders. While this can be helpful for quickly accessing frequently used items, some users may prefer to disable this feature for privacy reasons or to reduce clutter in Jump Lists. In this article, we will guide you through the process of disabling recent files in Windows 11.

How to Disable Recent Files in Windows 11

To disable recent files in Windows 11, follow these steps:

Step 1: Accessing the Settings menu

Click on the Start button located on the taskbar to open the Start menu. From the Start menu, click on the "Settings" icon, which resembles a gear.

Step 2: Opening the Personalization settings

In the Settings window, click on the "Personalization" category.

Step 3: Navigating to the Taskbar settings

In the Personalization settings, select "Taskbar" from the left-hand menu.

Step 4: Disabling the "Show recently opened items in Jump Lists" option

Under the Taskbar settings, scroll down until you find the "Jump Lists" section. To disable recent files, toggle off the switch next to "Show recently opened items in Jump Lists".

Alternative Method: Using the Registry Editor

Advanced users can also disable recent files in Windows 11 using the Registry Editor. Here's how:

Step 1: Opening the Registry Editor

Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Navigating to the appropriate registry key

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Step 3: Creating a new DWORD value

Right-click on an empty space in the right-hand pane of the Advanced key and select "New" > "DWORD (32-bit) Value". Name the new value "Start_TrackDocs".

Step 4: Setting the value to "0" to disable recent files

Double-click on the newly created Start_TrackDocs value and set its value data to "0". Click OK to save the changes.

Benefits of Disabling Recent Files

Disabling recent files in Windows 11 offers several benefits, including:

• Enhanced privacy and security: Prevent others from easily seeing the files and folders you have recently accessed.
• Improved system performance: Disabling recent files can help optimize system performance, especially on devices with limited resources.
• Reduced clutter in Jump Lists: By removing recent files, you can reduce the number of items displayed in Jump Lists, making it easier to navigate and find specific files.

Re-Enabling Recent Files in Windows 11

If you decide to re-enable recent files in the future, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Accessing the Taskbar settings

Open the Settings menu by clicking on the Start button and selecting "Settings". Then, navigate to the "Personalization" > "Taskbar" settings.

Step 2: Enabling the "Show recently opened items in Jump Lists" option

Scrolldown to the "Jump Lists" section and toggle on the switch next to "Show recently opened items in Jump Lists" to enable recent files again.

AOMEI Cyber Backup for Windows System Backup and Restore

AOMEI Cyber Backup is a powerful software solution designed to provide comprehensive backup and restore capabilities for Windows systems. Whether you want to protect your data, ensure system continuity, or recover from unexpected disasters, AOMEI Cyber Backup offers advanced features and an intuitive interface to meet your needs. This article will explore the key features and benefits of AOMEI Cyber Backup for Windows system backup and restore.

System Backup

1. Launch AOMEI Cyber Backup on your Windows computer.
2. In the main interface, click on the "Backup" tab.
3. Select "System Backup" from the available backup options.
4. Choose a destination location to store the backup. It can be an external hard drive, network location, or another storage device.
5. Optionally, you can set a backup name and add a description to identify the backup easily.
6. Click on the "Schedule" button if you want to set up automatic backup schedules. Configure the desired backup frequency (daily, weekly, monthly) and timing.
7. Review the backup settings and click "Start Backup" to initiate the system backup process.
8. Wait for the backup process to complete. The duration will depend on the size of your system and the speed of your storage device.
9. Once the backup is finished, you will have a complete backup of your Windows system.

System Restore

1. Open AOMEI Cyber Backup on your computer.
2. Navigate to the "Restore" tab in the main interface.
3. Choose the backup image you want to restore from the list of available backups. If the backup is located on an external device, connect it to your computer.
4. Select the backup image and click on the "Restore" button.
5. AOMEI Cyber Backup will prompt you to choose the restore destination. Make sure to select the correct destination where you want to restore the system.
6. Review the restore settings and ensure that the "Restore System" option is selected.
7. If you want to restore specific files or folders, you can choose the "Restore Files" option and select the desired files or folders from the backup image.
8. Click "Start Restore" to begin the system restoration process.
9. Wait for the restore process to complete. This may take some time depending on the size of the backup and the speed of your system.
10. Once the restore is finished, you can restart your computer, and it will boot into the restored Windows system.

Conclusion

Customizing system settings according to your preferences and needs is an essential aspect of personalizing your Windows 11 experience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily disable recent files in Windows 11, enhancing your privacy, improving system performance, and reducing clutter in Jump Lists. Remember, if you ever want to re-enable recent files, you can easily do so by following the provided instructions. Take control of your Windows 11 environment and make it work for you.