The Windows Run dialog (accessed by pressing Windows Key + R) is a fantastic tool for power users, allowing you to instantly launch deep system utilities like regedit, appwiz.cpl, or secpol.msc. To save you time, Windows 11 remembers every single command you type into this box and stores it in a convenient drop-down history list.
However, if you share your computer or are presenting your screen during a meeting, you might not want others to see the advanced system commands or hidden folder paths you frequently access. Unfortunately, there is no “Clear History” button directly within the Run dialog itself. To erase this specific history list, you must clear the broader Windows Explorer history or dive into the Registry.
How to Clear the Run Dialog History in Windows 11
The safest and easiest way to clear the Run history is by using the Registry Editor to delete the specific tracking keys.
- Click the Start button, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. (Click “Yes” if prompted by UAC).
- Using the folder tree on the left, navigate to the following exact path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU - Click on the RunMRU folder to highlight it.
- Look at the right side of the window. You will see a list of values named
a,b,c, etc., alongside a value namedMRUList. Each letter represents a command you recently typed into the Run dialog. - Highlight all the values in the right pane except for the one named
(Default). (You can do this by clicking the first one, holding Shift, and clicking the last one). - Right-click the highlighted values and select Delete.
- Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
You can now close the Registry Editor. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Click the drop-down arrow on the right side of the text box, and you will see that your entire command history has been completely erased, leaving a clean slate.