List of Recent Documents not showing up in Task Bar or Start Menu.

Check the recent document list within word application. If its fine then there might some corruption in the recent items stored in ‘AutomaticDestinations’ folder.

To resolve and fix the issue, follow these steps:

1)   Browse to the location mentioned : %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations

Note: the folder ‘AutomaticDestinations’ is hidden

2)   Delete all the files whose size is 1MB or more.

Note: If you cannot find any file sized 1MB or more then delete all the files. This will eventually remove the Jump Lists’ recent items for all the applications. The recent items on the Jump Lists will be re-added as the program is been used. If you delete all the files then ensure that the applications are pinned again to the taskbar.

the fix is very simple: 

1. right click on the start button
2. click on properties
3.  task bar and start menu properties shows
4. click on start menu
5. place a check mark in the two boxes in the privacy section.  (store and display recently opened programs/items etc...)
6. click apply and ok

done!

Note that %appdata% is only a system variable that "links" to the Application Data folder whose exact location depends on the operating system. You should be able to open it via the Run dialog box (hold the Windows logo key and press R to display that dialog).

Here are the responses that resolved my problem.  I put them in order (1...., 2....., 3.....).  Start at #1, and read down thru #3.  There is helpful info in each #1-#3 that builds on itself.  Ultimately it was #3 that resolved the problem.  Good luck. Let me know if it doesn't work.

theokapi

1........

Press WinKey and type (or copy/paste)

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations< /FONT>

Identify files that are comparatively larger in size than the rest of the file, such as files that have file size of 1 MB or more.

Delete the abnormal file(s).

Tip: If you do not want to retain the Jump Lists’ recent items history on all applications, just delete all the automaticDestinations-ms files in the folder.

The recent items functionality on Jump Lists will be restored. The recent items on the Jump Lists will be re-added as the program is been used. However, do note that the solution does not restore the previously pinned items. So user will have to pin new items again.

2........

Note that %appdata% is only a system variable that "links" to the Application Data folder whose exact location depends on the operating system. You should be able to open it via the Run dialog box (hold the Windows key and press R to display that dialog).

Check the recent document list within word application. If its fine then there might some corruption in the recent items stored in ‘AutomaticDestinations’ folder.

3........

To resolve and fix the issue, follow these steps:

1)   Browse to the location mentioned : %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations

Note: the folder ‘AutomaticDestinations’ is hidden

2)   Delete all the files whose size is 1MB or more.

Note: If you cannot find any file sized 1MB or more then delete all the files. This will eventually remove the Jump Lists’ recent items for all the applications. The recent items on the Jump Lists will be re-added as the program is been used. If you delete all the files then ensure that the applications are pinned again to the taskbar.