How to Remove Frequently Used Folders and Recent Files in Windows 10

In Windows 10, the File Explorer displays recent files and frequently used folders by default. While this feature provides quick access, there may be times when you'd like to hide this information, especially if you're sharing the computer with others. Let’s go over how to turn off this display.

1. Disabling Through File Explorer Settings

  1. Open File Explorer and go to the “File” menu, then select “Change folder and search options”.
  2. In the Folder Options window, select the “General” tab.
  3. Look for the “Privacy” section. Here, you’ll find two options:
    • Show recently used files in Quick access
    • Show frequently used folders in Quick access
  4. Uncheck both options to disable displaying these items.
  5. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

2. Clearing Quick Access History

If you want to delete already accumulated data, follow these steps:

  1. In the Folder Options window, under the “Privacy” section, click “Clear” next to the option labeled “Clear File Explorer history.”
  2. This will remove any traces of recently used files and folders.

3. Disabling Through the Registry Editor (for Advanced Users)

If standard methods don’t work or you need a more thorough approach, you can use the Registry Editor. Be cautious, as incorrect changes can affect system performance.

  1. Press Win + R and type regedit, then press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer.
  3. Find the keys ShowRecent and ShowFrequent and change their values to 0 to disable displaying recent and frequently used items.
  4. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.