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.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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...".

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

59 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2023-11-29T20:50:15+00:00

    I will add that I am having the same issue. MS files appearing in Recent list with updated dates. However, I have not updated the files recently. Some are files that haven't been touched in years. There are no other systems accessing the account.

    Examples:

    13 files updated at 2:18 pm today

    12 files updated at 12:38 pm today

    And then this:

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-28T20:51:42+00:00

    Hello Jason,

    I experience the same issue as the other users on this thread. I hope it can be fixed somehow?

    regards,

    Ulrikke

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-26T19:12:07+00:00

    After many other complains about that topic I will hit here once again.

    I do not anymore believe in a security problem here. And here is the reason why:

    The files which incorrectly appear in the recent files list show date and time that correspond to the actual time when I open Windows Explorer. Which means that my very own system causes the change of these file's last access datetime.

    Nevertheless, this unwanted behavior is still annoying as it shows files that have not been opened at a place where you do want to search for the files you actually worked with.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-11-26T13:04:58+00:00

    I have the same problem. Random files keep appearing in my recent files that I know I have not opened. I recently changed my O365 PW and it has not resolved the problem.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments