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

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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
    2023-11-22T05:41:55+00:00

    I am also experiencing this and your original answer does not ease my mind, as I am not signed in on other devices yet random and important, passcode even protected files are showing up in the recent list which I have not opened. Sometimes it is a few files, other times dozens. There is no rhyme or reason! I have run scans on my device and cannot detect anything malicious, however you have my documents in a cloud so I doubt its an issue with my hardware. Please offer more details on what Microsoft is doing to cause these files to randomly select and open without owner action.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-16T12:17:15+00:00

    Hi Jason Guer,

    Could you please come back on this thread and provide more assurance on what's happening.

    I've had One Drive for years now, and this has never happened before. I am similarly concerned if my OneDrive security has been compromised?

    Although, I have now changed my Microsoft account password, and the new files appearing on the recent section has now stopped.

    Would be good to know what happened there and how much had been compromised if at all. Thanks.

    Kunal

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-14T02:35:15+00:00

    I'm experiencing the same thing. 18 Confidential documents showing recently viewed in OneDrive. I am the only person with access to OneDrive and I am not on a network. Who could possibly be viewing these files? Have there been security breaches with OneDrive?

    Natasha B

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  4. 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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