Where Is the Windows Recent Items Folder?
Windows tracks recent files in AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent, a folder Explorer displays as Recent Items.
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Every file you open leaves a shortcut in the Recent folder, which is how the Start menu and File Explorer offer your latest documents. On disk the folder is plainly named Recent, while Explorer dresses it up as Recent Items.
Those shortcuts are tiny .lnk files, not copies, so deleting them never deletes your work. Clearing the folder is a standard privacy tidy before handing a machine to someone else.
Where Windows stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
Holds one shortcut per recently opened file, plus AutomaticDestinations and CustomDestinations subfolders for Jump Lists. Paste the path into Explorer's address bar. Deleting contents clears history without harming originals.
Frequently asked questions
how do i clear recent files in windows
Open %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent and delete the shortcuts, or turn off recent items in Settings under Personalization and Start. Either way your actual documents stay put.
why is the folder called recent but shown as recent items
Explorer applies a display name over the real folder. Command Prompt, PowerShell and forensic tools show the truth: Recent. Both names point at the same place.
where are jump lists stored
In the AutomaticDestinations and CustomDestinations subfolders of Recent. Each app gets a coded .automaticDestinations-ms file. Quick Access pins live in one specific file there, f01b4d95cf55d32a.
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