General Clear File Explorer History in Windows 11


Recent_items_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to clear the Run (Win+R) and File Explorer (Win+E) typed, recent items, and frequent places history for your account in Windows 11.

Clearing your File Explorer history deletes the information Windows saved about the files and folders you use as well as what you've typed in the address bar and Run dialog.

File Explorer history consists of:
  • Recent items in the File Explorer jump list.
  • Quick access folders in File Explorer Home, except default pinned folders.
  • Favorites in File Explorer Home.
  • Recent files in File Explorer Home.
  • File Explorer address bar typed history.
  • Run dialog typed history.

Contents

  • Option One: Only Clear Run and File Explorer Address Bar History
  • Option Two: Clear File Explorer History in Folder Options
  • Option Three: Clear File Explorer History using BAT file


EXAMPLE: History in File Explorer Home

Recent_history_on_File_Explorer_Home.png


EXAMPLE: Recent history in File Explorer jump list

Recent_on_File_Explorer_jump_list.jpg


EXAMPLE: Typed paths history in File Explorer address bar

File_Explorer_address_bar_typed_history.png


EXAMPLE: Typed paths history in Run dialog

Run_typed_history.png






Option One

Only Clear Run and File Explorer Address Bar History


Typed paths history for the Run and File Explorer address bar are saved to the registry keys below for your account.

(File Explorer)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths

(Run)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU


1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Right click in the address bar of File Explorer. (see screenshot below)

3 Click/tap on Delete history.

Clear_File_Explorer_address_bar_history.png





Option Two

Clear File Explorer History in Folder Options


This option will not clear folders pinned to Quick access in File Explorer home.

This option will not clear Favorites in File Explorer Home.

This option will not clear OneDrive items (if listed) under Recent in File Explorer Home.


1 Open Folder Options.

2 In the General tab, click/tap on the Clear button under Privacy. (see screenshot below)

3 Click/tap on OK to close Folder Options.

Clear_File_Explorer_history_Folder_Options.png





Option Three

Clear File Explorer History using BAT file


This option will completely clear all File Explorer history including what Option One couldn't clear.

Clear_all_history_in_File_Explorer_Home.png


1 Click/tap on the download button below to download the Clear_File_Explorer_history_for_current_user.zip file.


(Contents of BAT file for reference)
Code: 
:: Clear history in File Explorer Home
Del /F /Q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\*

Del /F /Q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations\*

Del /F /Q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations\*


:: Clear typed history in Run dialog
reg query HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
if not ErrorLevel 1 reg delete HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU /F

:: Clear typed history in File Explorer address bar
reg query HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths
if not ErrorLevel 1 reg delete HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths /F

:: Clears autosuggest file and URL references
rundll32 InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 1

2 Save the ZIP file to your desktop.

3 Unblock the ZIP file.

4 Extract the BAT file from the ZIP file.

5 Run the BAT file.

6 You will now see a command prompt quickly flash open and close to run the commands to clear all your File Explorer history.

7 You can now delete the BAT file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
Brink said:
You could test renaming the string values to have them back in url1 etc.. order after deleting any.
Click to expand...

In this case, would you not have to know how many urls there is? The other issue is that a path cannot be searched for, have to know which url it is saved to.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro; 21H2, Build 22000.1281AMD Ryzen 3 3250 with Radeon Graphics8gbAMD Graphics
OS
Windows 11 Pro; 21H2, Build 22000.1281
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell 3525
CPU
AMD Ryzen 3 3250 with Radeon Graphics
Memory
8gb
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Graphics
Sound Card
AMD high definition audio device; Realtek audio
Screen Resolution
1980x1020
rdwray said:
In this case, would you not have to know how many urls there is? The other issue is that a path cannot be searched for, have to know which url it is saved to.
Click to expand...

The current list should be shown at the registry key path. As you type new paths, this will of course change.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths

TypedPaths.webp
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
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    2560x1440
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    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
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    Cooling
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    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
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    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
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    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
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    15" HDR
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    2496 x 1664
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    1 TB SSD
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    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
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    Chrome and Edge
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Brink said:
The current list should be shown at the registry key path. As you type new paths, this will of course change.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths

View attachment 166310
Click to expand...
But how do you know which one contains the data you are trying to remove from a batch file?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro; 21H2, Build 22000.1281AMD Ryzen 3 3250 with Radeon Graphics8gbAMD Graphics
OS
Windows 11 Pro; 21H2, Build 22000.1281
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell 3525
CPU
AMD Ryzen 3 3250 with Radeon Graphics
Memory
8gb
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Graphics
Sound Card
AMD high definition audio device; Realtek audio
Screen Resolution
1980x1020
rdwray said:
But how do you know which one contains the data you are trying to remove from a batch file?
Click to expand...

You don't. The paths will have to be manually deleted from this registry key to not have specific paths show in the address bar history drop down.

Otherwise, you could use a batch to wipe all history instead.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
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