Recent files list shows files which have not been opened by user

Anonymous
2023-10-18T07:04:00+00:00

Hello,

for a couple of days or maybe even weeks I noticed that in my recent files list in Windows Explorer several files appear which I did not actively open. At this moments there are 13 of these files in my list. All of these files seem to be on OneDrive.

This concerns me in two different ways:

Security: have the files been "touched" by some villaineous software, or have they just been checked routinely by Windows and its components?

Usability: In the recent files list are more then 50 percent of files which I did not work on and which will block my view on the files I did open.

I am hoping for advise.

Have a great time

Olaf.

***Moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Files, folders, and storage***

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2024-01-11T20:56:21+00:00

Has anyone tried unchecking "Include accoutn-based insights, recent, favorite...." under folder options of Home?

Open File explorer > click home > click the "..." > go to options > uncheck Include account-based insights...".

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-10-26T11:12:12+00:00

    Hi Olaf18

    I am currently experiencing the same issue of files appearing on the recent files list that I have not opened via OneDrive. I agree this is a recent event and Jason's response does not address properly the issue we are both experiencing. Like you my immediate thought was; has my OneDrive account been hacked?

    Maybe it is a result of a recent MS software update?

    Kind regards

    Joseph Hamilton

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-10-25T16:06:27+00:00

    Thank you, Jason, for your response. I am happy to hear that I do not have to fear any security issues.

    Unfortunately, the recent files list is now of less use than it was before. Still there will be listed files which I did not actively open. Right now, there are 8 files on top of the list from which I only opened 1. Date and time is equal to the starting time of the current Windows session.

    This is really annoying because this behaviour is new. I am using One Drive in connection with Windows Explorer for many years now, and only recently this annoying issue appeared.

    Manually removing files from the recent files list is also not an option. This costs more time than to manually open the files from their source directly.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-10-24T15:59:43+00:00

    Hello!

    We haven't heard from you, so we assume that your issue has already been addressed. We will not be monitoring this thread moving forward so, if you need further assistance, please create a new thread to discuss these concerns by clicking this link:Create a new question (microsoft.com)

    We look forward to your next response.

    Kind regards

    Jason Guer

    Microsoft Community Moderator

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-19T14:35:07+00:00

    Hello Olaf18

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

    I understand your concerns about the recent files list in Windows Explorer showing files that you did not actively open. Let’s work together in finding the best resolution to this issue.

    Security: It’s unlikely that these files have been “touched” by malicious software. More commonly, this issue can occur due to the way Windows and its components interact with OneDrive. For instance, if you’re signed in on another device with the same account, any documents opened there would appear on your recent files list.

    Usability: To manage the files appearing in your recent files list, you can manually remove individual files from the list. Here’s how to do it:

    • Right-click the unexpected file in the recent files list.
    • Choose "Remove from list"

    If you want to change the number of recent documents displayed or even disable this feature, follow these steps:

    • Click the File tab.
    • Click Options.
    • Click Advanced.
    • Under Display, in the “Show this number of Recent Documents” list, click the number of files that you want to display.

    We look forward to your next response.

    Regards,

    Jason Guer

    Microsoft Community Moderator

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