Clear Microsoft Paint recent files history

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.

• Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
• Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
• Impact: Minimum

  System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Low

  This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

• Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
• Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
• Fully reversible

  You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

  The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview

This script removes the list of recently used files in Microsoft Paint.

When you open or save an image file in Paint (mspaint.exe), it adds the image to the File > Recent pictures history list ¹. This list provides quick access to recently used files but also creates a record of your Paint usage ^{1 2}.

The Paint registry keys are created only after you use the application ².

These keys store information such as:

• File names of recently opened images ²
• Dates when images were last closed ²
• Other related data ²

This information can be used to:

• Track your Paint usage patterns
• Provide evidence in forensic investigations to study your behavior ²

By clearing this list, you:

• Enhance your privacy by removing traces of your Paint activity
• Reduce the risk of others seeing your recently edited images
• May slightly improve system performance by clearing unnecessary data

This action doesn't affect your saved files, only the record of recently used files in Paint.

The script deletes all registry values under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Recent File List registry key ^{1 2}.

Caution

Removing recent file history in Paint will delete the list of recently edited images, requiring manual reopening of these files.

Safe for General Use

All actions in this script is recommended for all users. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.

Sources

PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

• How to Clear Recent Pictures in Paint (mspaint) app in Windows 10. Tutorials. www.tenforums.com. (2024).
  Original: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/156361-how-clear-recent-pictures-paint-mspaint-app-windows-10-a.html
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240730113602/https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/156361-how-clear-recent-pictures-paint-mspaint-app-windows-10-a.html
• Paint MRU Blog. forensafe.com. (2024).
  Original: https://forensafe.com/blogs/PaintMRU.html
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240730113748/https://forensafe.com/blogs/PaintMRU.html

Apply Now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script

Download and run the script directly

• No app needed
• Offline usage
• Easy-to-apply
• Free
• Open-source

Apply protection

Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Microsoft Paint recent files history" using script

• ≈ 2 min to complete
• Tools: Web Browser
• Difficulty: Simple
• ≈ 5 instructions

1. 1

   Download

   Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
   Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
2. 2

   Keep the file

   If warned by your browser, keep the file.
3. 3

   Open

   Open the downloaded file.
4. 4

   Exit

   Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
5. 5

   Restart

   Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

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Guided, automated application with safety checks

• Recommended for most users
• Includes safety checks
• Free
• Open-source
• Popular
• Offline/Online usage

Open privacy.sexy

Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Microsoft Paint recent files history" using privacy.sexy

• ≈ 3 min to complete
• Tools: privacy.sexy
• Difficulty: Simple
• ≈ 4 instructions

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

1. 1

   Open or download

   Open or download the desktop application
2. 2

   Choose script

   1. Search for the script name: Clear Microsoft Paint recent files history
   2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
3. 3

   Run

   Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

   This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge

Apply

Apply changes

:: Clear registry values from "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" 
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$rootRegistryKeyPath = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Paint\Recent File List'; 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"

Revert

Restore changes

IiI=

Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Microsoft Paint recent files history" using commands

• ≈ 2 min to complete
• Tools: Command Prompt
• Difficulty: Medium
• ≈ 3 instructions

View step-by-step guide with screenshots

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1. 1

   Open Command Prompt

   Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. 2

   Copy code

   Copy the code:

   Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
3. 3

   Paste & run

   Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

   Some changes require a system restart to take effect

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About the Creators

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

• 

  undergroundwires

  • Certified security professional
  • 7+ years experience securing banks
  • Open-source developer since 2005
  • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
• Open-Source Contributors

  • Hundreds across the globe
  • Testers, reviewers, developers
  • Companies, military agencies
  • Community since 2017

About Us

Reviewed By

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

• Expert review by undergroundwires

  • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
  • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

• Public review by large community

  • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
  • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process