How to Clear Recently Opened Files in Office 365
In today’s fast-paced digital world, managing files and documents efficiently is crucial. Office 365, being a widely-used suite of productivity tools, offers a convenient way to store and access your files. However, sometimes you might want to clear recently opened files for privacy reasons or to declutter your workspace. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to clear recently opened files in Office 365.
Understanding the Recently Opened Files Feature
The “Recently Opened Files” feature in Office 365 is designed to help users quickly access their most recently used documents. It appears as a list in the File menu of each Office application, making it easier to resume work on a document without searching for it. However, this feature can also store sensitive information, which might not be desirable in certain situations.
Clearing Recently Opened Files in Office 365
To clear recently opened files in Office 365, follow these simple steps:
1. Open any Office application, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
2. Click on the “File” menu at the top left corner of the application window.
3. In the File menu, click on “Options.” This will open the Office Options dialog box.
4. In the left pane of the dialog box, click on “Advanced.”
5. Scroll down to the “General” section and look for the “Recently Used Files” option.
6. Uncheck the “Show Recently Used Files in Quick Access Toolbar” and “Show All Files in File Explorer” options.
7. Click “OK” to save the changes.
Alternative Method: Clearing Recently Opened Files via File Explorer
If you prefer using File Explorer to manage your recently opened files, follow these steps:
1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E.
2. In the File Explorer window, click on the “View” tab at the top.
3. In the “Layout” group, click on the “Options” button.
4. In the “View Options” dialog box, click on the “Advanced settings” tab.
5. Scroll down and uncheck the “Show recently used files in Quick Access Toolbar” and “Show all files in File Explorer” options.
6. Click “OK” to save the changes.
Conclusion
Clearing recently opened files in Office 365 is a straightforward process that can help you maintain privacy and organization. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily manage your recently opened files and keep your workspace clutter-free.
