Show Recent Files no longer works

A A 30 Reputation points
2026-03-13T01:30:26.6666667+00:00

When I select 'Show recently used files' in the Folder Options for the Home folder, it does not change the default and does not work after applying it. It used to work until the most recent update. How do I get Show Recent Files to work again?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage
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AI answer

2026-03-13T01:30:37.5+00:00

In Windows 11, the Recent files section in File Explorer’s Home view is controlled by a system-wide privacy setting, not only by the Folder Options checkbox.

To get Show Recent Files working again:

  1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. Go to Personalization > Start.
  3. Turn On the toggle named: “Show recommended files in Start, recent files in Explorer, and items in Jump Lists”.
  4. Close Settings.
  5. Open File Explorer → Home and ensure Show recently used files is checked again in … (See more) → Options → General → Privacy.

When that Start/Explorer/Jumplist toggle is off, File Explorer will not retain the “Show recently used files” setting and Recent files will not appear, even if enabled in Folder Options.

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  1. Ole Bülow Hartvigsen 0 Reputation points
    2026-08-20T15:57:00.6866667+00:00

    You could also use a 3rd party tool like FanFolder. It puts the recent files on the Windows taskbar, easy to find and access.

    https://olebhartvigsen.github.io/FanFolder/

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