Most Recently Used Documents

  • Section(s): IE and Explorer
  • Published on Apr 20, 2004.
  • Last Modified on Apr 20, 2004.
  • Last Modified by Wayne Maples.
  • Rated 5 out of 5 based on 2 votes.
Explorer remembers your most recent entries in many dialog boxes. These lists are called MRUs. If you want to erase your Explorer tracks, the MRUs for Explorer can be found in keys under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer .

Of most interest is the key with values for recently run commands. A privacy issue. The run list is stored as a series of values a-z. To clear the Run history, clear or modify value MRUList and clear respective letters of command string.

RunMRU Start/Run Dialog
RecentDocs Start/Documents menu
OtherFolder OtherFolder PowerToys dialog
FindComputerMRU Find Computer dialog
PrnPortsMRU Recently used printers

Use TweakUI to clear the entire Run list.

Consider protecting your Internet browsing with Anonymizer:

Desktop and Explorer Restrictions Tips:

Desktop icons hidden
File menu in Explorer is removed
Map Network Drive and Disconnect Network Drive menu from Explorer removed
Network Neighborhood icon removed and prevent network access from Explorer
Common Groups from Start Menu removed
Find command removed from Start Menu
Run command removed from Start Menu
Shut Down button removed from Start Menu
Control Panel, Printers and My Computer in Explorer hidden and on Start Menu
Taskbar on the Start Menu hidden
Most Recently Used entries removed from Run history
Menus do not display upon right click on Taskbar, Start Button, Clock, or Taskbar icons
Menus do not display upon right-click of Desktop or Explorer's Results pane.
Only programs in Restrict subkey can be run
Remove Run command from Start menu

About Wayne Maples

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