How to Erase the Windows Explorer History

When deleting your old Registry files, hold down the "Ctrl" key to select multiple files.

Although Windows Explorer does not keep a history folder in the same way that Internet Explorers does, the program remembers and lists the drives and folders you have visited. Essentially, Windows Explorer auto-completes folder names you type into the Explorer address bar, much like an Internet search engine. You can easily remove these lists by deleting the corresponding registries stored on your PC's Registry Editor.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button on your computer's taskbar and select "Run" in the Start menu. Alternatively, hold the Windows button (represented by a Windows icon) and press the "R" key. This opens your computer's Run program.

2. Enter "REGEDIT" in the text box in the Run program window. Click "OK" to open the Registry Editor window.

3. Use the folder list on the left pane of the Registry Editor to navigate through the following folders: "My Computer"; "HKEY_CURRENT_USER"; "Software"; "Microsoft"; "Windows"; "Current Version"; "Explorer" and "Typed Paths". Click on the "+" icons next to folders to open them up.

4. Notice the list of files in the "Typed Paths" folder in the right pane. You will see files with the names of various URLs. These are the folder locations that Windows Explorer remembers when you type in your Explorer address bar. You can see the exact folder location in the Data tab next to the registry name.

5. Select the folder locations that you want your computer to forget and press the "Delete" key to send them to your computer's Recycle Bin.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful when deleting anything from the Registry Editor; some files are vital for your computer to run smoothly. If in doubt, search for information on the file through an Internet search engine and see if the file is vital or removable. Alternatively, visit the PC Today website as cited in Resources to see a list of deletable files.

References

• Tweaking With Vishal: How To Remove Unwanted Items From Addressbar History In Windows Explorer?

Resources

• PC Today: What's Safe To Delete?