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Clear Quick Access recent files

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 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.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Safe for General Use

This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Some changes may be permanent

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Clear Quick Access lists category. This category focuses on managing Jump Lists in Windows. This feature was first introduced with Windows 7 in July 2009 and has been included in subsequent versions. These lists are found in the Start Menu or Taskbar and provide quick access to recently opened files and folders. The privacy... 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 Quick Access recent files.
  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 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."^""; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

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