How to clear Windows Explorer MRUs

After you complete this procedure, the MRU list does not appear in Windows Explorer-style dialog boxes; however, this list is not removed from the registry.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Windows XP Professional

1. Log on as the user.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. Type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
4. In the left pane under User Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Components, expand Windows Explorer, and then click Common Open File Dialog.
5. In the right pane, double-click Hide the dropdown list of recent files.
6. Click Enabled, and then click OK.
7. Click File, and then click Exit.

Windows XP Home Edition

1. Log on as the user.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. Type regedit, and then click OK.
4. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Comdlg32NOTE: If the Comdlg32 key does not exist, follow these steps:
   1. Click the Policies key.
   2. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
   3. Type comdlg32, and then press ENTER.
5. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
6. Type nofilemru, and then press ENTER.
7. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
8. Type 1, and then click OK.
9. On the File menu, click Exit.

How to Prevent the AutoComplete List of File Names from Appearing

To prevent the AutoComplete list from appearing in typical Windows Explorer-style dialog boxes, turn off the AutoComplete functionality for Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer:

1. Start Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
2. Click the Content tab, and then click AutoComplete.
3. Under Use AutoComplete for, click to clear the Web Addresses check box, and then click OK.
4. Click the Advanced tab, click to clear the Use inline AutoComplete check box in the Browsing section (if this check box has been selected).
5. Click OK.

The MRU lists for Windows Explorer-style dialog boxes are stored by file type for each user in the following registry key:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\OpenSaveMRU