This tutorial will show you how to view your recently opened files in Windows 11.
Windows 11 keeps track of your recently opened files by default.
This can be handy if you need to locate or reopen a recently opened file, or to just see which files have been recently opened.
- Option One: View Recently Opened Files for Specific App on Taskbar
- Option Two: View Recently Opened Files for Specific App on Start Menu
- Option Three: View Recently Opened Files on Start Menu
- Option Four: View Recently Opened Files from File Explorer Home
- Option Five: View Recently Opened Files from Recent Items folder
1 Right click on the app (ex: "Notepad") icon on the taskbar. (see screenshot below)
2 Click/tap on the Recent file you want to open in the jump list.
1 Open the Start menu
.2 Click/tap on the All apps button at the top of the Pinned section. (see screenshot below)
3 Right click on the app (ex: "Notepad"), and click/tap on the Recent file you want to open in the jump list.. (see screenshot below)
1 Open the Start menu
.2 Click/tap on the More button at the top of the Recommended section. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on the recent file you want to open in the Recommended list. (see screenshot below)
Starting with Windows 11 build 22635.3930 (Beta), File Explorer will now provide you with quick access to files that have been shared with you. If you are signed into Windows with your Microsoft account, you will be able to view files that have been shared with your account, such as email, Teams chat, etc. If you are a commercial customer who is signed-in with your Microsoft Entra ID account, you will additionally be able to view files that they have shared with others. You can access this feature by launching File Explorer Home and clicking on the ‘Shared’ tab item. You will also be able to view a broader set of file types in their Recent, Favorites, and Shared sections on the homepage. For example, if you’ve recently opened/edited files in Designer, Loop, Power BI, Forms, etc. these files will now be available in your Recent list.
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E). (see screenshot below)
2 Click/tap on Home in the navigation pane.
3 Click/tap on the Recent file you want to open.
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E). (see screenshot below)
2 Copy and paste
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent Items into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter to open the Recent Items folder.3 Click/tap on the Recent file you want to open.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
