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How do I remove "Recent Places" link? It only shows up on my Favorites in Windows Explorer when I'm in a dialogue (ex: uploading images). I want the link gone. Not empty, gone.

Anonymous
2009-10-15T23:38:22+00:00

How to remove "Recent Places" link?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-10-16T18:40:41+00:00

    Hi roger0987,

    Thanks for posting in Microsoft answers!

    There is no option to remove “Recent Places” as it is a LNK file.

    LNK is Windows Shortcut file which links to a program, file or directory. This type of file creates a link to a program or application, from another location. These files are used as placeholders for executables and other files and are usually placed on computer desktop or start menu. Windows operating system itself is responsible for opening these files when double clicked on. Usually during the installation processes of applications on your computer you are offered with the possibility of adding a shortcut icon to your Desktop or Quicklaunch link in the Start Menu from the taskbar.

    Please follow the instructions mentioned below:

    1.       Go to Taskbar.

    2.       In Taskbar, go to “Start Menu”.

    3.       In Privacy, uncheck  “Store and display a list of open files” and “Store and display a list of open programs” options.

    4.       Click on Apply and then OK.

    Then, when you go back to “Recent Places” it's different. Notice that it has a new listing. One that changes and remembers it's own items in right pane.

    Hope this helps.

    Regards,

    Sujan –Microsoft Support

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-12-27T06:25:08+00:00

    HEY its SIMPLE.....

    Go to explorer> right click on RECENT PLACES icon andREMOVE it.....It wont bother you.....

    Cool....

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2011-11-14T03:52:27+00:00

    yes, I go to the task bar, and then then the start menu....but then where do I locate "privacy"

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-12-01T00:24:50+00:00

    dnew9999:

    Doesn't look like this has been answered yet, but maybe you've found the solution.  I had this happen to me today.  To remove it from your desktop:

    Open Computer and drag recent places to your Favorites in the sidebar

    and then don't forget refresh your dekstop.. (Click on desktop and hit F5)

    That will put 2 of the Recent Places links in explorer but you can remove them.

    Hope this helps.

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-11-14T20:42:17+00:00

    Please follow the instructions mentioned below:

    1.

           Go to Taskbar .

    2.

           In Taskbar , go to “Start Menu” .

    3.

           In Privacy , uncheck   “Store and display a list of open files” and “Store and display a list of open programs” options.

    4.

           Click on Apply and then OK .

    Then, when you go back to “Recent Places” it's different. Notice that it has a new listing. One that changes and remembers it's own items in right pane.

    Sujan,

    I believe I have the same problem, but the instructions in your reply do not represent the options I see in my "Taskbar/Start Menu". 

    I accessed Recent Places for the first time today within Windows Explorer window.  As soon as I did, an icon for Recent Places was created on my desktop that I, too, cannot remove.  I've followed your instructions: I right-clicked on the taskbar and selected Properties.  This opened a window for Taskbar and Start Menu Properties.  3 tabs were available in the top of that window: Taskbar, Start Ment, and Toolbars.  Per your instructions (step #2), I selected the Start Menu tab.  And, while there IS a section within that tab for Privacy, I have 2 option boxes checked that are completely different from the description of those options you mention in step #3.  The options I have available under "Privacy" are:

          - Store and display recently opened programs in the Start Menu

          - Store and display recently opened items in the Start Menu and the Taskbar

    I have tried unchecking these to see if anything changes, but to no avail.

    I am using Windows 7 Professional that I purchased the day it became commercially available and upgraded an XP Pro version of Windows.

    How can I remove this Recent Places icon from my desktop?

    Thanks

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