Clear Quick Access recent files

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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 clears the AutomaticDestinations Jump List files in Windows. It improves user privacy by removing traces of recent file and application usage.

These files are automatically created when a user opens a file or an application ¹. They help users quickly access recently or frequently used items, usually via the Windows taskbar ². They are hidden and do not appear in Windows Explorer ³. The files are located in %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations ^{2 3 4}. These files are identified by the automaticDestinations-ms extension ³.

However, these files also record detailed user activity, such as timestamps, file locations, network information, and usage frequency ^{1 3 4 5}. They store comprehensive data including boot session times, sequence numbers, user directories, and MAC addresses of network cards ^{1 5}. Web search strings from browsers like Edge, Firefox, Chrome, and Opera, used by Cortana, are also stored in these files ³.

By clearing these files, the script not only removes the history of user activity but also reduces the risk of this data being analyzed to construct user activity timelines ¹. Such analysis could potentially expose personal usage patterns and behaviors, compromising privacy.

Caution

Clearing recent files will remove the convenience of quickly accessing recently used files and folders.

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.

• Jump Lists Blog. forensafe.com. (2023).
  Original: https://forensafe.com/blogs/jumplist.html
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231128094035/https://forensafe.com/blogs/jumplist.html
• Forensic Science and Forensic Evidence I. United States Attorneys' Bulletin. justice.gov. (2023).
  Original: https://www.justice.gov/usao/page/file/931366/download
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231128091208/https://www.justice.gov/usao/page/file/931366/download
• A forensic insight into Windows 10 Jump Lists. Bhupendra Singh, Upasna Sin. Dept. of Computer Engineering, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DU), Girinagar, Pune, India. (2021).
  Original: https://cyberforensicator.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1-s2.0-S1742287616300202-main.2-14.pdf
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20210205154335/https://cyberforensicator.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1-s2.0-S1742287616300202-main.2-14.pdf
• Windows 7 forensics jump lists-rv3-public. PPT. slideshare.net. (2023).
  Original: https://www.slideshare.net/ctin/windows-7-forensics-jump-listsrv3public
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231128091107/https://www.slideshare.net/ctin/windows-7-forensics-jump-listsrv3public
• The Meaning of Linkfiles In Forensic Examinations. Harry Parsonage. computerforensics.parsonage.co.uk. (2023).
  Original: https://computerforensics.parsonage.co.uk/downloads/TheMeaningofLIFE.pdf
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231128095448/https://computerforensics.parsonage.co.uk/downloads/TheMeaningofLIFE.pdf

Apply Now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

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

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Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Quick Access recent files" 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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• Recommended for most users
• Includes safety checks
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Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Quick Access recent files" 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 Quick Access recent files
   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 directory contents  : "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""$($directoryGlob = '%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations'; if ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\*')) { $directoryGlob } elseif ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\')) { "^""$($directoryGlob)*"^"" } else { "^""$($directoryGlob)\*"^"" } )"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $deletedCount = 0; $failedCount = 0; $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); Write-Host 'Iterating files and directories recursively.'; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-ChildItem -Path $expandedPath -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { <# Re-check existence as prior deletions might remove subsequent items (e.g., subdirectories). #>; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path) (already deleted)."^""; $deletedCount++; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $path -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop; $deletedCount++; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path)"^""; } catch { $failedCount++; Write-Warning "^""Unable to delete $($path): $_"^""; }; }; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted $($deletedCount) items."^""; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to delete $($failedCount) items."^""; }"

Revert

Restore changes

IiI=

Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Quick Access recent files" 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