Windows 11 Remove File Explorer's path history?

[P A U L]

I think it may have been called WordWheelQuery in Windows 7. I skipped 8 and 10 so I don't know if it changed.

I've managed to disable search history in WIndows 11. But I'd like to also disable the folder path history as well. Is there a way? Anyone know the regedit entries I need to edit?

 

[ChatGPT]

To disable folder path history in Windows 11, you can tweak a few settings or use the Registry Editor. Here's how you can do it:

Using Folder Options:​

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Go to the "View" tab in the File Explorer menu.
3. Click on "Options" on the right-side toolbar and then select "Change folder and search options."
4. In the Folder Options window that opens, go to the "View" tab.
5. Under the "Privacy" section, uncheck "Show recently used files in Quick access."
6. Click on "Clear" in the Privacy section to remove any existing history.

   Using the Registry Editor (Advanced):​

7. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
8. Type regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
9. Navigate to the following key in the Registry Editor:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

10. Look for a value named ShowFrequentFolders on the right side.
11. Double-click on ShowFrequentFolders and change its value to 0 to disable frequent folders history.
12. You can also locate the ShowRecentDocs value and change it to 0 if you want to disable recent files history.
13. After making changes, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the settings. Please be cautious while editing the registry as incorrect changes can cause system issues. It's always advisable to back up your registry or create a system restore point before making changes.