Solved Start/Recommended list

Does anybody understand how the Start menu/Recommended list actually works? How long does it keep history for and can the list be cleared?

Maybe try this: Open a File Explorer window, click the three dots at the right end of the new ribbon, choose Options, and in the panel that opens, go to the bottom to the Privacy section, check or uncheck the two boxes, as you wish, and click Clear if you want to clear the entries, then click Apply and then OK. Let us know if this does it for you.

@Wisewiz is correct. 'Recommended' is a list of your recently opened files. Turning off 'Show recently used files in Quick access' clears the list, and it stays cleared if you turn it back on until you open a few files.

Kol12 said:

How long does it keep history for...

Click to expand...

...its not based on time, it's based on how many files are are in the list. When the list gets full a new file at the top of the list will mean the oldest entry will drop off the bottom of the list. In Windows 10 the list could hold 20 items, it's the same in Windows 11. You will see the full list if you click 'More' in 'Recommend'.

Thanks for the answers. File Explorer history would be separate to the start menu recommended list though wouldn't it?