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Clear File Explorer address bar history

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script clears the history of paths you've typed in the File Explorer address bar.

Windows stores recent paths entered in File Explorer 1 2 3 (formerly known as Windows Explorer 1 2). This specifically targets paths that have been manually typed into the Address Bar 2 3. These can be file or folder locations 2. Windows saves up to 25 of these entries 1. The paths are saved upon closing the File Explorer window 1.

This stored data includes:

  • Full path typed 1 2
  • Date and time of entry 1 2

This information may pose privacy and security risks:

  • Reveals your file access history 1 2
  • Allows tracking of when and how often files were accessed 1 2
  • Enables detection of activity patterns, such as specific application use 2
  • Can be used to build a timeline of user actions 2
  • Can be exploited by malware to maintain persistence on the system 4
  • Can be used by attackers to map system structure or track behavior
  • Facilitates social engineering attacks based on file access patterns

This data is often used in forensic investigations 1 2. This data can be used in investigations related to intellectual property theft, employee misconduct, security breaches, or other criminal activities 2.

This script enhances privacy by:

  • Removing traces of your file system navigation
  • Reducing unauthorized access risk to your browsing history
  • Limiting data available for forensic analysis
  • Preventing exposure of sensitive file or folder names
  • Reducing risk of attacks based on file access patterns
  • Minimizing digital footprint on shared or public computers
  • Protecting against certain types of malware
  • Maintaining confidentiality of work or personal projects

It can also slightly improve system performance by freeing up space and reducing the data Windows processes when accessing File Explorer history.

This script deletes all registry values under: HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths 1 2 3. This subkey includes values named url1, url2, url3, etc., with url1 always containing the most recent typed path 1.

Caution

This script may impair your ability to quickly access recently typed file paths in File Explorer, potentially affecting your workflow efficiency.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Some changes may be permanent

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Clear recent activity category. This category includes scripts that erase traces of recent user activities on Windows. These scripts enhance privacy by removing records of accessed files, used applications, and changed system settings. Clearing recent activity is crucial for protecting your privacy. Your computer keeps... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Clear File Explorer address bar history.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Reversible

This script is reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Clear register values from "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths" 
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$rootRegistryKeyPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths'; function Clear-RegistryKeyValues { try { $currentRegistryKeyPath = $args[0]; Write-Output "^""Clearing registry values from `"^""$currentRegistryKeyPath`"^""."^""; $formattedRegistryKeyPath = $currentRegistryKeyPath -replace '^([^\\]+)', '$1:'; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $formattedRegistryKeyPath)) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Registry key not found: `"^""$formattedRegistryKeyPath`"^""."^""; return; }; $directValueNames=(Get-Item -LiteralPath $formattedRegistryKeyPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Property); if (-Not $directValueNames) { Write-Output 'Skipping: Registry key has no direct values.'; } else { foreach ($valueName in $directValueNames) { Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $formattedRegistryKeyPath -Name $valueName -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Output "^""Successfully deleted value: `"^""$valueName`"^"" from `"^""$formattedRegistryKeyPath`"^""."^""; }; Write-Output "^""Successfully cleared all direct values in `"^""$formattedRegistryKeyPath`"^""."^""; }; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to clear registry values in `"^""$formattedRegistryKeyPath`"^"". Error: $_"^""; Exit 1; }; }; Clear-RegistryKeyValues $rootRegistryKeyPath"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

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