How to Clear Recent File History in Windows 11
In today’s digital age, privacy and security are of utmost importance. One aspect of maintaining privacy on your computer is clearing your recent file history. This feature, available in Windows 11, keeps track of the files you have accessed recently. However, if you wish to keep your activities private or simply want to declutter your system, you can easily clear this history. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to clear recent file history in Windows 11.
Step 1: Open File Explorer
To begin, open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon on the taskbar or pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
Step 2: Access the Settings
Once File Explorer is open, click on the three dots in the upper-right corner of the window to access the settings menu. From the dropdown menu, select “Settings.”
Step 3: Navigate to the Privacy & Security Section
In the Settings window, scroll down and click on “Privacy & security.” This section contains various privacy-related settings for your Windows 11 device.
Step 4: Go to the Activity History
Within the Privacy & security section, click on “Activity history.” This is where you can manage your recent file history and other activity data.
Step 5: Turn Off Activity History
On the Activity history page, you will see a toggle switch labeled “Let Windows track activity and save it to the cloud.” Make sure this switch is turned off to disable the tracking of your activity history.
Step 6: Clear Activity Data
Below the toggle switch, you will find a “Clear activity data” button. Click on this button to open a new window that lists all the activities that have been tracked. You can select specific activities to delete or click “Clear all activity” to remove all tracked data.
Step 7: Confirm the Deletion
After selecting the activities you want to delete, click “Clear” to confirm the deletion. Windows will then proceed to remove the selected data from your device.
Step 8: Confirm the Deletion Again
In some cases, Windows may prompt you to confirm the deletion again. Click “Yes” to proceed.
Conclusion
By following these simple steps, you can easily clear your recent file history in Windows 11. This will help you maintain your privacy and keep your computer clutter-free. Remember that clearing your activity history is just one aspect of protecting your digital privacy, so make sure to take other precautions as well.
