File Explorer Option Show Recently Used Files doesn't stay checked and isn't available on Home

I keep my Windows 11 (version 23H2) computer, which was installed 11/8/2023 regularly updated and tuned. The most recent update was 7/8/2025 Net 8.0.18.

I consider myself very knowledgeable with the Windows operating system and have not only used Windows since it's beginning, but also taught Windows adult education classes through a community college nearly three decades ago. In spite of that, a very minor problem has thrown me for a loop.

In the File Explorer, I have always loved and used the "Show Recently Used Files" feature on the File Explorer Home screen. Then one day, several months ago, I noticed it was no longer available, and was replaced with "Favorites." I don't want "Favorites" there, I want my "Recently Used Files" there so that if I'm working on a document one day, and want to work on it again the next day, I don't have to locate the file where I saved it or downloaded it. It was always automatically right there, on my File Explorer Home Screen Recently Used Files section.

I've been trying to find a solution to this for months, and have searched Microsoft Support for this issue. I've tried the instructions of various sources numerous times, such as: Unclear "Show recently used files," restarting the computer, rechecking the "Show recently used files," then restarting the computer again. I've also tried the Reset Folder Options and Restore Defaults many times.

No matter how many times I check that "Show Recently Used Files" box, press "Apply," "Clear History," "Restore Defaults," and "Restart Computer," not only does the Recent Files screen not show up on my File Explorer home screen, (but the Favorites options which I don't like or want shows up instead) -- the "SHOW RECENTLY USED FILES" checkbox UNCHECKS or clears itself when I return to the options, no matter whether the other two options -- "Show Frequently Used Folders" and "Show Files From Office.com" are checked or not, or whether I've restarted the computer after checking. I've even tried many different variations of the suggested fixes of the issue, but nothing works. Please, I would appreciate a fix to this. Thank You.