File history

Many people are aware that the browser you use to surf the internet stores a history of the sites that you visit to your local hard drive. It saves the URLs you’ve entered into the browser, and their images and content as well as other information that can be used to trace your steps across the Internet. Most of us also know how to erase these web browser caches.

However, were you aware that your home computer does the exact same caching of your activity and viewed files? Programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel and even the little Paint program your kids use also stores the most recent files opened and keeps them on an easy to retrieve list typically listed under the “File” sub-menu. Whether OS or program-specific, what was originally intended as a quick and easy feature to re-open your most recent files actually can pose a serious risk to your personal privacy.

With these file histories, a hacker or snooping friend or spouse could retrace your computer activity within minutes, whether that’s been to type up an important business proposal, listen to some of your favorite music in media player or viewing some pictures from a recent holiday. Not only do these history “features” show people what you’ve been accessing but also exactly where you’ve stored these files.

Unlike your web browser, deleting your file histories in Vista or Windows XP is not necessarily a straightforward process. In fact, it’s different from program to program, so this guide will only deal with the Windows-specific file history that records all file loads across the board: “Recent Documents.” Even so, you can’t simply open up a shortcut on your desktop and click a single button to delete all of this recent file history. You can use one of two methods — one option is to manually open and edit the registry, and the second is to use third party privacy software with the ability to clear file histories/caches for you. This guide will discuss both methods, and for both of the most popular Windows versions.

Manually clearing your File History in Windows Vista

This method requires use of regedit as mentioned. Regedit is Window’s tool to interface with its registry. This may sound intimidating if you are a novice computer user, but simply follow all the steps to the letter and you will be fine. Start by clicking Windows’ famous “Start” button and locate the search box on the menu that pops out. It should be white and contain some grey text saying “Start Search.” Once found, select it and type “regedit” into it. Then hit your ENTER key.

Although this is a search box, Windows will automatically accept the input as a command for certain keywords and phrases. This is one of them, and a second or two after you hit the ENTER key, you have Microsoft’s Registry Editor tool on your screen.

Next navigate to the following registry path;

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU

Manually clearing your File History in Windows XP

The way to clear the file history in Windows XP also involves using the Regsitry Editor. To start, click the “Start” button in Windows and then select “Run.” The Run button is generally in the toolbar under the “Help and Support” and “Search Functions” in the taskbar. This will bring up another dialog box. In the area beside “Open:” simply type in “regedit.” You now have Microsoft�s Registry Editor tool on your screen. You will need to navigate to the following registry path;

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU

To clear your most recently opened documents and files, right click the “Start” button and select “Properties.” Next select “Customize” and then the “Advanced” tab. At the bottom of the dialog box you will see a section for “Recent Documents.” You can clear your list of documents and disable it in this section.

Clearing your File History with third party privacy software

If all of the above steps sound a bit tedious and troublesome, especially as something to repeat constantly, you can download a specialized piece of privacy software to handle this and more for you, whenever you want or even automatically on a schedule. Easy System Cleaner is one such privacy utility, it not only deletes your file and document history, it can also be used to automatically remove your internet history, messenger program caches, and cookies. It works with all popular browsers and instant messenger programs, including Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Yahoo, MSN, and AOL.