Protect Your Privacy: Disable Recent Document History

The Recent Documents folder on the Windows XP Start menu displays a list of files and documents that you most recently used. But if you are not using this feature, it is best to disable it since it will reduce the time it takes to boot Windows plus when you are sharing the computer, you won't leave any tracks behind.

Here's how to disable the recent documents history:

1. Type "regedit" in the Start>Run Prompt.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.

3. Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value of "NoRecentDocsHistory" by double clicking.
4. Set the Data Value to 1. Save the value and close the registry editor.
5. Restart PC.

The next time you start Windows, your recent documents folder would remain empty and won't track your open documents, or history.

-The PC Guy