How to Clear the Windows Explorer MRU Lists (142298)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q142298
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SUMMARY

Windows contains a number of most-recently-used (MRU) lists. This article describes how to clear the MRU lists from the registry.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

To clear the MRU lists in the registry, delete all the values except "(Default)" under each of the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Doc Find Spec MRU
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FindComputerMRU
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\PrnPortsMRU
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StreamMRU

The following table describes the registry keys listed above: 
   Registry key        Description
   -----------------------------------------------------
   Doc Find Spec MRU   MRU for the Find Files command
   FindComputerMRU     MRU for the Find Computer command
   PrnPortsMRU         MRU for printer ports
   RunMRU              MRU for the Run command

Notes


  • Not all of the registry keys listed above may exist. After you delete the values, restart your computer. Make sure not to delete the "(Default)" value.
  • You do not have to restart the computer for the Find Files or Find Computer MRU lists to be cleared.
  • If you click the Start button, click Shut Down, and then click No, the MRU list for the Run command is cleared.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/16/2004
Keywords:kbFAQ kbhowto KB142298
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