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Clear Windows Run command 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 clears the Most Recently Used (MRU) list in Windows Run.

Windows Run is a utility that allows users to quickly open programs, files, folders, and web pages 1 2 3. It's also known as the Windows Run dialog box 2 4, Windows Command Window 3, Windows Run Box 5, Windows Run utility 1 6, and Windows Run window 1.

You can access it by:

  • Pressing Windows logo key + R 1 3
  • Searching for Run in the Start Menu 1 2
  • Running specific commands:
    • explorer shell:::{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0} 4
    • SYSTEMROOT%\System32\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,#61 4

Keeping this data poses privacy and security risks:

  • It reveals user activity on the system, including accessed files and applications 1 5 6
  • Forensic analysts use this data to study user behavior 1 5 6
  • Attackers use this data to understand user activities or execute malicious code 5

Clearing this data improves your privacy and security by:

  • Removing traces of your recent activities
  • Preventing third parties from gaining insights into your system usage
  • Reducing the risk of malicious code execution via manipulated data entries

It can also improve system performance by reducing the amount of data Windows needs to process when accessing the Run dialog history.

This script deletes all registry values under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU 1 5 6.

To ensure the changes take effect, close and reopen the Run window if it's currently open 1.

Caution

This script will erase your Run command history, potentially slowing down access to frequently used programs and 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.

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
Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Windows Run command 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.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

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 Windows Run command 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 Windows Run command 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 changes
:: Clear registry values from "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU" 
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$rootRegistryKeyPath = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU'; 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"
Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Windows Run command history" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  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

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

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These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

This category includes scripts that erase traces of recent user activities on Windows. These scripts enhance privacy by removing records of accessed files, used ap...
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Same Goal​

Other guides in Clear recent activity 

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Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

See all 12 guides

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • 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