The Privacy Leak
By default, when you open File Explorer in Windows 11, the operating system launches you directly into the “Home” view (formerly Quick Access). This page prominently displays a massive “Recent” section, which lists every single Word document, photograph, and video file you have opened across your entire computer over the last few days. If you use your laptop in a public coffee shop or share your computer with a family member, this is a massive privacy violation. Simply opening a folder to find a file broadcasts your entire recent workflow to anyone looking at your screen. You must instruct File Explorer to stop logging your activity.
How to Turn Off Recent Files
You can permanently hide the recent history and clear the existing log via the Folder Options menu.
- Open File Explorer (press the Windows Key + E).
- Click the three horizontal dots (…) located on the top command bar, far to the right.
- Click on Options at the bottom of the dropdown menu to open the Folder Options window.
- Ensure you are on the General tab.
- Look at the very bottom in the “Privacy” section.
- Uncheck the box labeled “Show recently used files in Quick access” (or “Show recent files”).
- Click the Clear button next to “Clear File Explorer history” to wipe the existing data.
- Click Apply, then click OK.
A Clean Explorer
The change takes effect instantly. The massive “Recent” section will completely vanish from the Home page of File Explorer. Moving forward, the operating system will stop tracking which documents you open, ensuring that the first screen you see when managing your files is clean, organized, and completely private.