ACC2000: How to Remove the Most Recently Used (MRU) Files List (208719)

This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and to a Microsoft Access project (.adp).

Advanced: Requires expert coding, interoperability, and multiuser skills.

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

The most recently used (MRU) file list is the list of the last database files that were opened in Microsoft Access. This list appears in the Microsoft Access startup dialog box (9 files) and at the bottom of the Microsoft Access File menu (4 files). You can remove the names of these last opened database files by editing the registry.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
In versions earlier than to Access 97, the MRU list was stored by user in the workgroup information file. This list is now stored in the registry.

To remove the file names from the MRU list, follow these steps:

In the Registry Editor (regedit.exe), browse to the following registry key:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Access\Settings

Double-click the appropriate Value name from MRU1 through MRU9.
Delete the string that appears in the Value data box.
Click OK.
Repeat steps 2 through 4 for all the MRU file names that you want to remove.
Close the Registry Editor and open Access.

The startup screen and File menu no longer display the MRU file name(s) that you edited in the registry. This does not permanently remove the MRU list, however. The next time you open a database, the database file name will be added to the list.