By George Norman
Added on 09 Sep 2009(636 Views)



The Microsoft developed Windows Vista operating system, just like Windows XP before it, automatically displays a list of recently accessed files (and programs) in the Start Menu. In Windows XP the files you recently accessed were presented in Start -> My Recent Documents; in Windows Vista they are displayed in Start -> Recent Items. The programs you accessed recently are automatically displayed in Start.

If you are the only one using the Windows Vista-powered computer in your home or office, then the Recent Items feature can come in handy. It is the go-to place when you want to access a file you recently used for example, But what if you are not the only one using the computer? If that is the case, then some privacy concerns come into focus. I don’t know about you, but I certainly wouldn’t want someone to know what files I accessed recently. I know I may sound a bit like a privacy nut, but you have to admit that privacy has its merits, especially when it comes to computer usage. Why would Mozilla fit Firefox with Private Browsing and Microsoft fit Internet Explorer with InPrivate Browsing if people did not want to keep things private?

Here is what you have to do to remove recently accessed items (files and programs) from the Start Menu in Windows Vista:

Step 1. Look at the bottom left hand corner of the screen. Do you see the Windows orb (also known as the Start button)? Right click it.

Step 2. In the menu that pops up click Properties.

Step 3. The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window should have popped up. Click the second tab from the left, the one that says Start Menu.

Step 4. In the Privacy section uncheck the boxes next to Store and display a list of recently opened files and Store and display a list of recently opened programs.

Step 5. Click Apply -> click OK and you’re done.

Tips and warnings
Regarding Step 1 – you can just as easily right click the taskbar and select Properties.
To undo this change simply check the boxes next to Store and display a list of recently opened files and Store and display a list of recently opened programs.
Privacy is important. Enough said!



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Tags: Microsoft, Windows, Vista, Start Menu

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