Should I Clear my Document History?
The Documents folder stores a list of files and documents that you have opened and used most recently. Unless you clear your document history, anyone who has the access to your computer can know what files and folders you have worked upon in the recent period. If you want to avoid such invasion on your privacy and keep your sensitive data safe, it is best to erase the Document history.
Before knowing how to clear your Document history, you need to know the process of displaying it. To get your recent Documents folder being displayed on the Start menu, right-click Start. After that, click Properties. If you find that the Start menu is displayed already, you should right-click on an empty region of the Start menu, and then select Properties. The next step is to click in succession the Customize and the Advanced tab. When you see the Recent documents, click to select the list under it that displays the most recently opened documents. Check this box and then click OK. When you click Start the next time, the command marked My Recent Documents will get displayed on the Start menu.
Before you clear document history, you may need to open one or more of the recently opened documents. To do this, click Start at first. Next, go to My Recent Documents and click on the item that you wish to open.
Now, you are ready to clear your Document history. Depending on what operating system you use, you can follow the steps listed below to wipe out your Document history tracks:
To clear your document history in Windows XP
• Right-click the Start button and then select “Properties”.
• After that, click on the button marked “Customize”.
• The next step is to click the “Advanced” tab.
• To clear ‘My Recent Documents folder’, find “Clear List”, click on it and finally, click “OK”.
To clear recent documents list in Windows 2000
• Click Start and take the pointer to Settings; next, click in succession Taskbar and Start Menu.
• Afterward, click the Advanced tab.
• Click Clear in Customize Start menu.
To clear recent documents history in Vista (having Standard Start Menu)
• Click the ‘Start’ button.
• Right-click on the ‘Recent items’.
• To delete the history of recently opened files and documents, click ‘Clear Recent Items List’.
To clear recent documents list in Vista (having Classic Start Menu)
• Click on the ‘Start’ button.
• Opt for ‘Settings’.
• Choose Taskbar and Start Menu.
• Open the ‘Start menu’ tab.
• Next, click on the button labeled ‘Customize’.
• To wipe out recently opened files and documents history, click the button marked ‘Clear’.
• Finally, click ‘OK’.
Remember not to take the action of clear your document history lightly. The information that your PC stores about your recently opened files and folders may jeopardize your career or personal life if you are not careful to erase it. So, enjoy your peace of mind by clearing the Document history from your computer.