Stop Windows 11 From Showing Recently Accessed Items in File Explorer
On your Windows 11 device, when you open File Explorer, the Home page can display recently accessed files and frequently used folders. This can be convenient on a personal computer, but it may not be desirable if you share your computer with other people or simply prefer a cleaner File Explorer experience.
Fortunately, Windows 11 includes built-in settings that let you control whether recently opened files and frequently used folders appear in File Explorer. You do not need to install third-party software or modify complicated Windows settings.
In this guide, you will learn how to stop Windows 11 from showing recently accessed items in File Explorer.
Stop Windows 11 From Showing Recently Accessed Items in File Explorer
To stop Windows 11 from showing recently accessed files and frequently used folders in File Explorer, open File Explorer, select the three-dot menu, choose Options, and stay on the General tab. Under Privacy, clear the options for Show recently used files and Show frequently used folders. Click Apply and then OK. You can also click Clear to remove the existing recent activity from File Explorer.
The process is straightforward, but there are a few details worth understanding before you begin. The settings control what File Explorer displays on its Home page.
Turning them off does not delete your actual files or folders.
Step 1: Open File Explorer
The first step is to open File Explorer. This is the Windows application you normally use to browse documents, downloads, pictures, drives, and other files.
You can open it in several ways. The easiest method for a new Windows 11 user is to click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar. The icon usually looks like a small folder.
You can also press Windows + E on your keyboard. To do this, hold down the Windows key and, while holding it, press the E key. File Explorer should open immediately.
Once File Explorer opens, you will normally see the Home page. Depending on your Windows 11 version and configuration, this page can contain sections displaying recently used files and frequently accessed folders.
Step 2: Open File Explorer Options
Now you need to open the settings that control File Explorer’s recent-item behavior.
Look at the top area of the File Explorer window. Find the three-dot button, sometimes called the See more menu. Click it once.
A small menu will appear. Select Options.
This opens the Folder Options window. Do not worry if the name says Folder Options instead of File Explorer Options. This is the correct Windows settings window for changing several File Explorer behaviors.
You should now see several tabs near the top of the window. Select the General tab if it is not already selected.
Step 3: Find the Privacy Settings
On the General tab, scroll down until you find the Privacy section.
This section controls some of the information File Explorer displays based on your recent activity. You should see options related to recently used files and frequently used folders.
The exact appearance can vary slightly depending on your Windows 11 version, but the important settings are located under Privacy.
Before changing anything, remember that these options affect what File Explorer shows in its Home area. They do not prevent you from manually opening files or folders.
Step 4: Turn Off Recently Used Files
Look for the option labeled Show recently used files.
If this option is selected, Windows can display files that you have recently opened in File Explorer’s Home view.
To stop Windows 11 from showing these files, clear the checkbox next to Show recently used files.
After you clear the checkbox, File Explorer will no longer use this particular setting to display your recently used files.
This does not delete the files themselves. For example, if you recently opened a Word document from your Documents folder, disabling this option will not remove the Word document. It simply prevents File Explorer from displaying it as a recently used item in the relevant Home view.
Step 5: Turn Off Frequently Used Folders
Now look for another option called Show frequently used folders.
When this setting is enabled, Windows can display folders that you access frequently. This can include locations such as Documents, Downloads, Pictures, or other folders you regularly use.
If you do not want File Explorer to display these frequently used folders, clear the checkbox next to Show frequently used folders.
This setting is separate from the recently used files setting. Therefore, if you want to stop both types of activity from appearing, make sure both checkboxes are cleared.
If you only clear the recently used files option, frequently used folders may still appear. Likewise, disabling frequently used folders does not necessarily remove recently used files.
Step 6: Clear Existing File Explorer Activity
If you want to remove the recent activity that File Explorer has already collected, look for the Clear button in the Privacy section.
Click Clear.
This is useful if you have already opened files or folders and do not want those existing entries to remain visible.
The Clear button is different from disabling the checkboxes. Disabling the options controls what File Explorer displays going forward, while clearing the history removes the currently stored recent activity associated with these File Explorer settings.
For the cleanest result, you can clear the existing history first and then disable both display options.
Step 7: Apply the Changes
After changing the settings, click Apply.
The Apply button tells Windows to use the changes you just made.
Then click OK to close the Folder Options window.
You can now return to File Explorer. Depending on your Windows 11 build, you may need to close File Explorer and open it again to see the updated Home page.
When you return to File Explorer, recently used files and frequently used folders should no longer be displayed through the options you disabled.
Step 8: Check the File Explorer Home Page
The final step is to verify that the changes worked.
Close File Explorer and open it again by pressing Windows + E.
Look at the Home page. The recent files and frequently used folder sections should no longer show items if you disabled both options.
If you still see other entries, do not immediately assume the setting failed. Windows 11 can display different types of content in File Explorer depending on your version, connected services, and configuration.
The important point is that the Show recently used files and Show frequently used folders settings specifically control the corresponding File Explorer activity.
Faqs
Can I stop File Explorer from showing recently opened files in Windows 11?
Yes. Open File Explorer > three-dot menu > Options. On the General tab, find the Privacy section and turn off Show recently used files. Click Apply and then OK.
Does disabling recent files delete my files?
No. Disabling the recent-files display does not delete your files. Your documents, pictures, downloads, and other files remain in their original locations. The setting only controls whether File Explorer displays them as recently used items.
Can I remove the existing File Explorer history?
Yes. Open Folder Options and locate the Privacy section. Click Clear to remove the existing File Explorer activity associated with these settings.
Why are frequently used folders still appearing?
The recently used files and frequently used folders settings are separate. If you only disabled recently used files, frequently used folders can still appear. Make sure Show frequently used folders is also unchecked.
Will this prevent Windows from remembering every file I open?
Not necessarily. These settings specifically control the File Explorer recent and frequently used displays. Other Windows components and individual applications may maintain their own recent-item lists.
Can I reverse these changes later?
Yes. You can return to File Explorer > three-dot menu > Options > General > Privacy and enable the options again. Windows will then be able to show recently used files and frequently used folders according to those settings.
Is it safe to clear File Explorer history?
Yes. Clearing the File Explorer history is generally safe. It does not delete the actual files or folders on your computer. It simply clears the relevant recent activity displayed by File Explorer.
Summary
If you prefer a more private or less cluttered File Explorer experience, Windows 11 gives you a simple way to hide recently used files and frequently used folders. You can make the change without installing additional software or editing the Windows Registry.
Start by opening File Explorer, select the three-dot menu, and open Options. On the General tab, locate the Privacy section. Disable Show recently used files and Show frequently used folders, then click Clear if you also want to remove existing activity. Finally, click Apply and OK.
After these changes, File Explorer will no longer display recent files and frequently used folders through those settings, giving you a cleaner and more private Windows 11 File Explorer experience.