how can I remove all files from the recent file list from Word's open dialogue box on macOS - need it for security reasons

Question

how can I remove all files from the recent file list from Word's open dialogue box on macOS - need it for security reasons

Answer 1

Hi bon,

To remove the recent files from the Word application, you can right-click on the document in the Recent tab and click on the Remove from the list for each document displayed.

As you want to remove all the documents at once, we’re sorry to convey that there is no direct way to achieve it but you can try the below steps to check the outcome:

a. Quit the Word application.

b. Open the Finder> Click Command + Shift + G

c. Enter ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences

d. Move the com.microsoft.Word.securebookmarks.plist to another location like Desktop.

e. Restart your Mac and open the Word application to check whether all Recent files are removed.

In addition, we request you add your vote to the related idea: Clear recent documents in Word for Mac UserVoice.

Appreciate your understanding.

Best Regards,

Chitrahaas

Answer 2

Word uses Mac OS System Preferences to determine the number of files shown in the recently used file list.

Go to System Preferences > General and set the number of Recent Items to "None"

You will have to quit Word using Command_Q and relaunch it to have this setting take effect.

Answer 3

"Doesn't work on either of them" Sorry, that doesn't tell us anything. You couldn't find the folder? A file by that name wasn't there? The file was there, but moving it didn't remove the recent files?

1. Close Word.
2. While holding down the Option key, click on the Go menu and choose Library. Your hidden user Library folder opens.
3. Open ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences
4. Drag com.microsoft.Word.securebookmarks.plist to your desktop.****

That will remove the list of local files from Recent. To remove the list of recent OneDrive files, sign out of your account by clicking on your photo or initials and choose Sign Out.

Otherwise, you'll  have to right-click on each file and choose Remove from Recent one-by-one.

Answer 4

a. Quit the Word application.

b. Open the Finder> Click Command + Shift + G

c. Enter ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences

d. Move the com.microsoft.Word.securebookmarks.plist to another location like Desktop.

e. Restart your Mac and open the Word application to check whether all Recent files are removed.

Hi Chitrahaas,

unfortunately, doing ti one by one is a tedious job.

And your above guid does not work for me in MacOS Catalina 10.15.4.

I have two machines and it does not work on either of them.  Have you tried it yourself?

Thanks,

Eric

Answer 5

Hi Eric,

Yes, we have tested at our end and those steps are for removing the files opened that stored locally (apologies for not mentioning at the first reply). To remove the files in the Recent tab that are located in the cloud, we need to remove one by one and we understand the inconvenience, given the situation, we suggest you provide the feedback in Word for Mac UserVoice as a related team can take into consideration.

Apologies for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

Best Regards,

Chitrahaas