The Windows “Run” dialog (accessed by pressing Windows Key + R) is the fastest way to launch hidden administrative tools like `regedit` or `appwiz.cpl`. To save you time, Windows 11 permanently memorizes every single command you type into this box. The next time you open the Run dialog, your entire historical list of commands is visible in the drop-down menu.
If you share your computer with others, or if you simply prefer a perfectly clean interface, you cannot right-click these entries to delete them. There is no “Clear History” button anywhere in the Run dialog itself. To erase this specific trace of your activity, you must use the Registry Editor to safely wipe the cache.
How to Safely Erase the Windows 11 Run Dialog History
You must delete the specific MRU (Most Recently Used) registry keys that store the commands.
- Click the Start button, type regedit, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor. (Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control).
- Carefully navigate through the folders on the left-hand side to reach this exact path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU - Click on the RunMRU folder so it is highlighted.
- Look at the right side of the window. You will see several entries named simply with lowercase letters (e.g., “a”, “b”, “c”). Under the “Data” column next to these letters, you will see the exact commands you previously typed (like
cmd\1). - To safely erase the history, highlight all of the single-letter entries (a, b, c, etc.). Do not highlight the “(Default)” or “MRUList” entries.
- Right-click the highlighted letters and select Delete. Click Yes to confirm.
The change is instantaneous. Close the Registry Editor. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Click the drop-down arrow next to the text box. The menu will be completely empty, and your entire command history has been safely erased.