General View Recently Opened Files in Windows 11


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Recent_items_banner.png

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.


Contents

  • 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




Option One

View Recently Opened Files for Specific App on Taskbar


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.

Recent_files_specific_app_taskbar.jpg





Option Two

View Recently Opened Files for Specific App on Start Menu


1 Open the Start menu :win:.

2 Click/tap on the All apps button at the top of the Pinned section. (see screenshot below)

Recent_files_specific_app_Start_menu-1.jpg

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)

Recent_files_specific_app_Start_menu-2.jpg




Option Three

View Recently Opened Files on Start Menu


1 Open the Start menu :win:.

2 Click/tap on the More button at the top of the Recommended section. (see screenshot below)

Start_menu_recommended-1.jpg

3 Click/tap on the recent file you want to open in the Recommended list. (see screenshot below)

Start_menu_recommended-2.jpg




Option Four

View Recently Opened Files from File Explorer Home


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.

File_Explorer_Home.png





Option Five

View Recently Opened Files from Recent Items folder


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.

Recent_Items_folder.png



That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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Last edited:
In the past I've created a shortcut in a folder and pinned the shortcut to the taskbar.

Location:: %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent Items
Name: Recent Items

I still do that today, thanks Brink for tutorial. for reminding me of this Almost forgot about the shortcut.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    AMD R7 5700g
    Motherboard
    ASROCK 570 Steel Legend
    Memory
    32Gb
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    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
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    Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec
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    Cougar MX331 Mesh
    Cooling
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    Dell
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    Microsoft
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    Chrome
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    MalwareBytes

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