How to Clear Recent File History in Windows 11
In today’s digital age, privacy and security are paramount. Windows 11, the latest operating system from Microsoft, offers a variety of features to enhance user experience. One such feature is the recent file history, which keeps track of the files you have recently accessed. However, if you wish to maintain your privacy or simply declutter your system, you might want to clear this history. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to clear recent file history in Windows 11.
Step 1: Accessing the File Explorer Options
To begin, you need to access the File Explorer Options. You can do this by clicking on the search bar in the taskbar and typing “File Explorer Options.” Alternatively, you can right-click on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar and select “Properties.”
Step 2: Navigating to the Privacy Tab
Once the File Explorer Options window appears, navigate to the “Privacy” tab. This tab contains settings related to file history, search history, and other privacy-related features.
Step 3: Clearing Recent File History
In the Privacy tab, you will find an option called “Clear history.” Click on this button, and a new window will appear, displaying a list of recent files and folders. You can select the files or folders you want to remove from the history by checking the boxes next to them. If you want to clear the entire history, you can simply click on the “Clear” button at the bottom of the window.
Step 4: Confirming the Action
After selecting the files or folders you want to remove, click on the “Clear” button again to confirm the action. A confirmation message will appear, asking you to confirm the deletion. Click “Yes” to proceed.
Step 5: Restarting File Explorer (Optional)
In some cases, you may need to restart the File Explorer to ensure that the changes take effect. To do this, close all File Explorer windows and right-click on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar. Select “Exit” from the context menu. Once File Explorer is closed, you can reopen it by clicking on the icon again.
Conclusion
By following these simple steps, you can easily clear recent file history in Windows 11. This will help you maintain your privacy and keep your system organized. Remember that this process will only remove the history from the system; the files themselves will remain on your computer unless you delete them manually.
