This website uses cookies & similar.
Privacy Policy
OK
Skip to main content

Disable history of recently opened documents

Apply Now
Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: MediumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Moderate
    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 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​

Missing Good Quality Documentation

This page does not yet meet PrivacyLearn's documentation standards. However, the script/action is stable and verified by community. Here are some options for you to understand its functionality:

Computer-generated docs (PREVIEW)

This documentation may be low quality but still useful.
Read computer-generated explanation

This documentation is automatically extracted from the code implementation.

Disable history of recently opened documents — to mitigate sensitive data privacy integration risks on Windows. For an added point, this option provides instructions to restore initial security setup.

A commitment to cyber privacy management safeguards the right to be oneself. Optimize (take a look at what you can do next) this guideline to manage cyber data privacy guardrail control. Follow the steps in the order they're written. Skipping or guessing could lead to complications.

Reference: https://web.archive.org/web/20231207105611/https://admx.help/?Category=Windows_10_2016&Policy=Microsoft.Policies.StartMenu::NoRecentDocsHistory

Technical Details​

To be able to reinforce data handling handling, this instruction set configures File Explorer (formerly Windows Explorer) to accomplish secured folder permissions. It aims to help make better use of system power amid streamlined file operations.

Via applying this registry security modifications, this adjustment changes your system to achieve deep system-level privacy modifications to help maintain digital data management. It helps make the system more stable, to benefit from reducing registry overhead.

As a result of applying this system settings, this tweak controls your system to realize protected system policies to maximize personal data handling. To gain reduced system overhead, this would help stop the system from slowing down.

To reach thorough trace cleanup, this modification adjusts historical data to be able to strengthen data handling maintenance. This code helps use energy more wisely while improved system speed.

Explore similar guides

Gives more context about the goal of the changes
Scroll to guide list

Review code

Requires technical knowledge about Batch (batchfile)
Scroll to code

Edit this page to improve

Requires technical knowledge about YAML and Git
Edit this page
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.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

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 "Disable history of recently opened documents" 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 "Disable history of recently opened documents" 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: Disable history of recently opened documents
    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
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer!NoRecentDocsHistory"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer'; $data =  '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer' /v 'NoRecentDocsHistory' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable history of recently opened documents" 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.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Another guide in Secure recent document lists See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
Clear recently opened document history upon exit

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
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential 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